Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 怪物 | guàiwu |
| 妖怪 | yāoguài |
| 魔鬼 | móguǐ |
| 妖物 | yāowù |
The term is used to describe a terrifying or dangerous creature. In the context of video games, 怪物 is the standard term used to refer to an enemy mob or a creature.
What does it mean word for word?
The term 怪物 is composed of 怪 (strange/weird) and 物 (thing/object/creature). The term 妖怪 is composed of 妖 (strange/enchanting/supernatural) and 怪 (strange/weird).
Which one should you use?
怪物 is the most general and neutral term for a monster, often used in video games or to describe something strange. 妖怪 refers specifically to supernatural creatures or spirits from folklore and mythology. 魔鬼 is used for a devil or a demonic entity, implying a sense of moral evil rather than just a strange creature.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Cantonese dialect (广东话), the term 怪獸 (gwaai sau) is used to refer to monsters.
How do you pronounce it?
guàiwu
Did you know?
- The character 怪 can be used as a verb meaning 'to blame', creating a linguistic overlap where the word for 'strange' also means 'to find fault with'.
- While 怪物 describes a strange thing, in modern internet slang, calling a person a 怪物 can be a compliment for someone with an extraordinary or eccentric talent.
- Because 妖 relates to 'enchantment', a beautiful woman in folklore might be described as having 妖氣, or 'monster aura', implying her beauty is supernatural and potentially dangerous.
Examples in context
- 这个怪物只吃魔法伤害。This monster only takes magic damage.This sentence is useful for describing the properties of a 怪物 in a gaming context.Tatoeba #13918948 by jan_OkulaJu, translation #13918961 by jan_OkulaJu
- 獨角獸是一種美麗的怪物。The unicorn is a fabulous monster.This sentence is useful for describing a 怪物 that is beautiful.Tatoeba #1227141 by tsayng, translation #540060 by Manfredo
- 这不是一只蜘蛛，而是一个怪物。This is not a spider, it's a monster!This sentence is useful for emphasizing that something is a 怪物 rather than a normal animal.Tatoeba #2028081 by sadhen, translation #1820208 by Amastan
- 妖怪常常出没在深山和森林之间。Monsters often lurk between the mountains and forests.
- 这个故事中有一只非常凶恶的魔兽。There is a very fierce and evil monster in this story.
- 我在游戏中遇到一个特别厉害的怪兽！I encountered a super powerful monster in the game!
- 小明最喜欢看妖精和怪兽的故事。Xiao Ming loves to read stories about fairies and monsters.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are watching a scary movie together.
- 浩然 Haoran那个怪物太可怕了！Nàge guàiwù tài kěpà le!That monster is too scary!
- 佳怡 Jiayi你看，它在靠近主角。Nǐ kàn, tā zài kàojìn zhǔjué.Look, it is approaching the main character.
- 浩然 Haoran我不敢看这个怪物。Wǒ bù gǎn kàn zhège guàiwù.I don't dare to look at this monster.
- 佳怡 Jiayi别担心，这只是电影。Bié dānxīn, zhè zhǐshì diànyǐng.Don't worry, it's just a movie.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “monster” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
