かいぶつ
kaibutsueveryday
In hiragana, "monster" is かいぶつ (kaibutsu). For a creature from folklore that changes shape you say ばけもの (bakemono), and the loanword is もんすたー (monsutā).
Meaning: a monster (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| かいぶつ | kaibutsu | everyday |
| ばけもの | bakemono | folklore |
| もんすたー | monsutā | casual, loanword |
What does it mean word for word?
かいぶつ is 怪物 in kanji and mixes the ideas of "strange" and "thing". ばけもの is 化け物, from ばける (bakeru), "to change form".
Which one should you use?
かいぶつ (kaibutsu) is a big, scary creature such as in movies. ばけもの (bakemono) feels closer to ghosts and shape shifters in old tales. もんすたー (monsutā) is common in games and anime.
When do people say it?
In katakana the loanword モンスター appears in game titles and on toys.
Did you know?
- The game and anime series Pokémon takes its name from ポケットモンスター (poketto monsutā), "pocket monsters".
Examples in context
- かいぶつが でてきた。Kaibutsu ga detekita.A monster appeared.
- それは ばけものの はなしです。Sore wa bakemono no hanashi desu.That is a story about a creature of folklore.
- もんすたーを つかまえる。Monsutā o tsukamaeru.I catch monsters.
Example conversation
Two kids, Sho and Mio, watch a movie in the living room.
- Shoあの かいぶつ、おおきいね。Ano kaibutsu, ōkii ne.That monster is big.
- Mioこわいから みない。Kowai kara minai.It is scary so I will not watch.
- Shoだいじょうぶだよ。Daijōbu da yo.It is okay.
