Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 怪物 | kaibutsu | [ka̠ibɯ̟t͡sɨ] (narrow) |
| モンスター | monsutā | [mõ̞ɰ̃sɨ̥ta̠ː] (narrow) |
| 化け物 | bakemono | [ba̠ke̞mo̞no̞] (narrow) |
| 怪異 | kaii | [ka̠ii] (narrow) [ke̞ː] (narrow) |
The terms used for monster vary depending on whether you are discussing a physical creature, a pop culture enemy or a supernatural phenomenon.
Which one should you use?
怪物 is a literal term for a monster or monstrosity. In contrast, the loanword モンスター is commonly used in video games and pop culture to refer to game enemies or creatures. The term 化け物 is more colloquial and can describe a person with extraordinary or freakish abilities. Finally, 怪異 refers more to a mysterious or supernatural phenomenon or occurrence rather than a physical creature.
How does it change in a sentence?
In slang, you can add 級 (kyū) to モンスター to create the phrase モンスター級, which means 'monster-class' or 'monstrous level' to describe something of an overwhelming scale, such as a machine or a talent.
How do you pronounce it?
kaibutsu
Did you know?
- Japanese folklore often blurs the line between 怪物 and 妖怪 (yōkai). While 怪物 suggests a physical monstrosity, 妖怪 refers to spirits and apparitions that often have specific social roles or eccentric habits.
- In Japanese, 化け物 can be used as a high compliment for a professional athlete or musician. Calling someone a 'monster' in this context means their skill is so far beyond normal human limits that it is frightening.
- The term 化け物 comes from the verb 化ける, meaning to disguise oneself or transform. This reflects a cultural belief that monsters are not always born as such but often shift their form to deceive humans.
Examples in context
- 以前恐ろしい怪物が住んでいた。A hideous monster used to live there.This sentence describes a hideous monster living in a specific location using 怪物.Tatoeba #191161 by bunbuku, translation #28320 by CK
- ベッドの下にモンスターがいる。There's a monster under my bed.This sentence refers to a monster under a bed using モンスター.Tatoeba #1528150 by bunbuku, translation #371429 by saeb
- 彼が怪物を見たというのは本当だ。It's true that he saw a monster.This sentence confirms that someone saw a monster using 怪物.Tatoeba #120528 by huizi99, translation #283481 by CH
- Watashi wa kaibutsu ga kowai desu (私は怪物が怖いです)I am afraid of monsters.
- Ano bakemono wa kowai desu (あの化け物は怖いです)That monster is scary.
- Yōkai wa nihon no minwa ni arawareru (妖怪は日本の民話に現れる)Yōkai appear in Japanese folktales.
- そのゲームをプレイしている時、見たことのない珍妙なモンスターに遭遇した。While playing the video game, I encountered a peculiar monstrosity that I had never seen before
- 6 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Ren and Yui are watching a scary movie together.
- 蓮 Renこの映画の怪物はすごく大きいね。Kono eiga no kaibutsu wa sugoku ookii ne.The monster in this movie is really big, isn't it?
- 結衣 Yuiうん、見た目がすごく怖いよ。Un, mitame ga sugoku kowai yo.Yeah, its appearance is very scary.
- 蓮 Ren結衣は怪物、苦手なの？Yui wa kaibutsu, nigate nano?Yui, are you not good with monsters?
- 結衣 Yuiちょっと苦手かも。Chotto nigate kamo.I might be a little bad with them.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “monster” translations and entries 怪物, モンスター, 化け物, 怪異, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries モンスター, 化け物, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
