Phrase
magic spell
noun
咒语，魔咒
a set of words or actions believed to have magical power
- 1.
a verbal formula believed to have magical force
被认为具有魔力的口头咒语
魔法效果；被认为具有魔力的口头咒语；魔咒；咒语
In use
The magician uttered a magic spell and the rabbit disappeared.
She learned a new magic spell from the ancient book.
The witch cast a magic spell on the princess, putting her to sleep.
cast + a/the + magic spell
The wizard cast a magic spell on the castle.
巫师对城堡施了一个魔咒。
put + a + magic spell + on + sb/sth
The witch put a magic spell on the princess.
女巫对公主施了魔咒。
break + the + magic spell
A kiss from the prince broke the magic spell.
王子的吻打破了魔咒。
under + a + magic spell
The forest was under a magic spell that made it seem alive.
森林被施了魔法，显得栩栩如生。
Common mistakes
They performed a magic.They performed a magic spell.
中文中“魔咒”常被简称为“魔法”，但英文里“magic”作名词泛指魔法现象，而“magic spell”特指咒语，需二者连用。
She recited a magical spell.She recited a magic spell.
“magic”作定语指“魔法的”，而“magical”强调“令人惊奇的、有魔力的”，在“magic spell”这一固定搭配中应使用“magic”而非“magical”。
Connections
Dictionary facts from ECDICT, WORDNET.