怪物
kaibutsu[ka̠ibɯ̟t͡sɨ]
The English phrase "monsters" is translated into Japanese as 怪物 (kaibutsu).
怪物 is used to refer to a general monster or creature.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 怪物 is composed of the characters for 'strange/weird' (怪) and 'thing/object' (物).
Which one should you use?
While 怪物 refers to a general 'monster' or 'creature,' the term 妖怪 (yokai) refers specifically to traditional Japanese supernatural spirits or monsters.
How do you pronounce it?
kaibutsu
Did you know?
- In modern Japanese, 怪物 is often used as a compliment to describe a person with an overwhelming or superhuman talent in sports or gaming, similar to calling someone a 'beast' in English.
- In modern Japanese pop culture, particularly in anime, monsters are often categorized into 'sub-genres' of monsters, such as 'Kaiju' (giant monsters), which is a much more specific term than the general 怪物.
- The character 怪 in 怪物 is the same character used in the word for 'mystery' or 'suspicious' (怪しい). This links the concept of a monster directly to the feeling of something being uncanny or eerie.
Examples in context
- 怪物はベッドの下のトムを怖がります。Monsters live in fear of a Tom under their bed.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use 怪物 when describing a monster's fear of someone.Tatoeba #10671963 by DJ_Saidez, translation #10258830 by DJ_Saidez
- 子供のころ、怪物はそんなに恐ろしい存在じゃないと、僕が思ってたものだ。When I was a child, I didn't think that monsters were that scary.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use 怪物 when discussing how one's perception of monsters changed since childhood.Tatoeba #4530623 by Kiraness, translation #5906967 by usagi
- あの昔話では、勇敢な少年が三つの怪物と戦うのです。In that folktale, a brave boy fights against three monsters.
- 最近、妖怪の話を聞いたことがありますか？Have you heard any stories about monsters recently?
- アイヌの伝統によると、キムンカムイは山や川に住む妖精や怪物だそうです。According to Ainu tradition, kimun-kamuy are fairies and monsters that reside in mountains and rivers.
- この映画には恐ろしい怪物がたくさん出てきます。Kono eiga ni wa osoroshii kaibutsu ga takusan dete kimasu.There are many scary monsters in this movie.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about a horror movie they just watched.
- 美咲 Misakiあの映画の怪物は、すごくリアルだったね。Ano eiga no kaibutsu wa, sugoku riaru datta ne.The monsters in that movie were really realistic.
- 健太 Kentaそうだね、ちょっと怖すぎたよ。Sou da ne, chotto kowasugita yo.Yeah, they were a little too scary.
- 美咲 Misaki健太くんは、大丈夫だった？Kenta-kun wa, daijoubu datta?Kenta, were you okay?
- 健太 Kenta少し怖かったけど、面白かったよ。Sukoshi kowakatta kedo, omoshirokatta yo.It was a bit scary, but it was interesting.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 怪物, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
