How to Say "Creature" in Japanese

生き物

ikimono[ikʲimo̞no̞]

The English word 'creature' is translated into Japanese as 生き物 (ikimono).

生き物 is the standard, neutral term used to describe animals, insects or any biological entity in both casual and general contexts.

Meaning: living being (noun)

How does it change in a sentence?

The word is a noun and does not change its form based on whether the creature is singular or plural.

ikimono

In Japanese pop culture, the term 生き物 is often bypassed for the loanword モンスター ('monster') when referring to fantasy creatures. Using 生き物 for a dragon or a griffin suggests it is a natural biological entity rather than a supernatural one.
In many Japanese fantasy or horror contexts, an unnatural or supernatural creature is often referred to as a 化け物 (bakemono) instead of 生き物.
The concept of a 'creature' can be quite different in Japanese folklore, where many creatures are seen as 'transformed' versions of existing objects or animals.

竜は空想上の生き物だ。
The dragon is an imaginary creature.
This sentence shows how to use 生き物 to describe an imaginary creature.
Tatoeba #1144488 by bunbuku, translation #325503 by CK
ネズミは臆病な生き物だ。
A mouse is a timid creature.
This sentence uses 生き物 to describe a timid creature.
Tatoeba #198599 by wat, translation #35792 by CM
女というものは、あなたがうまくやった１００ものことには気付かず、ただ失敗したことを暴き立てる、そういうことが出来る生き物だ。
A woman is not a creature that acknowledges the 100 things you've done right, but rather, one that without fail will point out the one thing you've done wrong.
This sentence uses 生き物 to describe a person's nature.
Tatoeba #1009904 by mookeee, translation #1487769 by marshmallowcat
人間は知的な生物です。
Humans are intelligent creatures.

Ren and Misaki are walking through a forest.

蓮 Ren

珍しい生き物がいたよ。
Mezurashii ikimono ga ita yo.
I saw a rare creature.
美咲 Misaki

本当に？どこにいたの？
Hontō ni? Doko ni ita no?
Really? Where was it?
蓮 Ren

あそこの木の下だよ。
Asoko no ki no shita da yo.
It was under that tree over there.
美咲 Misaki

見てみたい！
Mite mitai!
I want to see it!

Sources

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