魔鬼

• Pinyin: mó guǐ
• Hanzi breakdown: 魔 = 麻 (hemp, tangled) + 鬼 (ghost) — a tangled, otherworldly entity; 鬼 = 田 (field) + 人 (person) + 厶 (private) — a spirit with a hidden will

Meaning

Devil; demon; evil spirit. An embodiment of malevolent supernatural power, or a person who acts with extreme cruelty.

Used literally for demonic figures in religion, folklore, or fantasy. Figuratively applied to people who cause harm or act cruelly. In modern usage, 魔鬼训练 (devil training = brutal intensive training regimen) is common in sports contexts. 魔鬼在细节里 (the devil is in the details) is a borrowed idiom widely used in professional settings.

Examples

1. 这部小说以中世纪欧洲为背景，描写了一个与魔鬼签下契约的落魄贵族的悲剧命运。 Set in medieval Europe, the novel tells the tragic fate of a down-and-out nobleman who signs a pact with the devil.
2. 运动员在备战奥运时接受了长达半年的魔鬼训练，每天训练时间超过十小时。 While preparing for the Olympics, the athlete went through six months of grueling training, practicing more than ten hours a day.
3. 他对下属极为苛刻，在公司内部被一些员工私下称为魔鬼上司。 He is extremely harsh with his subordinates, and some employees privately call him the “boss from hell.”

Usage Guide

Context: religion, folklore, fitness, literature, everyday

Tone: dramatic

Do Say

• 他以魔鬼般的意志力坚持完成了这项极限挑战，令在场所有人叹为观止。(With a diabolical level of willpower, he persisted through this extreme challenge, leaving everyone present in awe.)
• 这名教练以高强度的魔鬼训练闻名，但他培养出的运动员成绩都十分亮眼。(This coach is known for his high-intensity devil training, but the athletes he produces all achieve outstanding results.)

Don't Say

• 在庄严的宗教或正式语境中把'魔鬼'用作随意的玩笑 (魔鬼 carries strong religious and moral connotations in Buddhist and Christian traditions — flippant use may cause offence in formal or sacred settings)

Origin & History

魔 (demon, supernatural power) + 鬼 (ghost, spirit). Both components refer to supernatural malevolent beings; together they intensify the idea of a demonic entity.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal