Yōsei
/joːseː/noun
A fairy or supernatural spirit in Japanese folklore and modern fantasy.
Did you know?The word yōsei is written 妖精: 妖 suggests something uncanny or bewitching, while 精 can mean spirit, essence, or vital energy.
Etymological Timeline
Classical Chinese
Chinese
妖
“Strange, uncanny, ominous, or bewitching”
Classical Chinese
Chinese
精
“Essence, vital spirit, or supernatural being”
Pre-Modern Japanese
Japanese
妖・精
“Sino-Japanese readings yō and sei for the characters meaning uncanny and spirit”
Late 19th Century
Japanese
妖精
“Yōsei, used in modern Japanese as a term for fairy-like supernatural beings”
20th Century
English
yōsei
“A Japanese loanword used in English-language discussions of Japanese folklore, fantasy, and popular culture”