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悪魔の仕業 (Akuma no shiwaza - the devil's work)

Grammar & Usage

fixed expression

neutral (often used in a slightly dramatic or exclamatory context)

How it works

This phrase is a genitive construction. '悪魔 (akuma)' means 'devil' or 'demon'. 'の (no)' is a possessive particle, indicating 'of' or 's''. '仕業 (shiwaza)' means 'deed', 'act', or 'doing', often implying a negative or mysterious act. Together, it literally means 'the devil's deed' or 'the work of a demon'.

Sample sentences

こんなひどいことは悪魔の仕業としか思えない。

Such a terrible thing can only be the work of the devil.

突然のシステム障害は、まるで悪魔の仕業のようだった。

The sudden system failure was as if it were the work of the devil.

誰がこんな恐ろしいことをしたんだ？まさか、悪魔の仕業か？

Who did such a terrible thing? Could it be the devil's work?

Quick facts

nuance:Often used when something bad, inexplicable, or seemingly supernatural has happened, and one attributes it to malevolent forces or a cunning individual. Can be used literally or metaphorically.

Often used with

一体誰の仕業だ？ (Ittai dare no shiwaza da? - Whose work on earth is this?)

神の仕業 (Kami no shiwaza - God's work)

人間の仕業 (Ningen no shiwaza - human's work/doing)

とんでもない仕業 (Tondemonai shiwaza - an outrageous act)

仕業としか思えない (shiwaza to shika omoenai - I can only think it's the work of...)

Mnemonic

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Example

こんなひどいことは悪魔の仕業としか思えない。

Such a terrible thing can only be the work of the devil.

突然のシステム障害は、まるで悪魔の仕業のようだった。

The sudden system failure was as if it were the work of the devil.