ju
ju — noun
- jusingular
- jusplural
1. A traditional belief system, found especially in parts of West Africa, in which
A traditional belief system, found especially in parts of West Africa, in which objects are thought to carry spiritual or magical power.
The village healer explained how ju has shaped life in Ghana for centuries.
uncountable noun: ju as a belief system
Amara studied how ju shapes the traditional religions of Nigeria and Benin.
Anthropologists have documented how ju beliefs influence daily decisions in many rural communities.
Zola's research focuses on how ju practices have changed since colonial times.
用法筆記
Uncountable when referring to the belief system as a whole. Common in academic, anthropological, or cultural contexts.
常見錯誤
2. An object that people believe holds spiritual or magical power, especially withi
An object that people believe holds spiritual or magical power, especially within West African traditional religions.
Chidi placed a small ju made of wood and feathers above the doorway for protection.
countable: a ju / the ju
The village priest gave Kwame a ju wrapped in red cloth to carry on his journey.
Tourists buy carved ju figures at the market, though locals say only priests can make real ones.
Fatima inherited a small ju from her grandmother, who said it would bring good fortune.
用法筆記
Countable — you can refer to 'a ju' or 'the ju' as a physical object. The same word form serves as both the belief system (sense 1) and the object (sense 2); context determines which is meant.
3. A mysterious force or special quality that seems to bring success, good luck, or
A mysterious force or special quality that seems to bring success, good luck, or influence to a person, thing, or situation.
The band believed their old van had some kind of ju because it never broke down.
uncountable: some kind of ju
Fans speak of the stadium's ju — the home team is unbeaten there in three years.
collocation: the ju of [something]
People said the old guitarist had a strange ju that made everyone want to listen.
The restaurant has a certain ju that keeps customers coming back year after year.
用法筆記
Figurative or metaphorical use, often in informal or journalistic writing. Distinguish from sense 1 — here the focus is on the intangible effect rather than a structured belief system.