Japanese word

怪物

Pronunciation

Romajikaibutsu

Meaning

  • nounmonster

Example

村の近くに怪物が現れました。mura no chika ku ni kai butsu ga arawa re ma shi ta

A monster appeared near the village.

Illustration for 怪物 (monster)

More examples

その怪物は大きいです。so no kai butsu wa ō ki i de su

That monster is big.

映画の中の怪物は、最後に人間を助けます。ei ga no naka no kai butsu wa sai go ni nin gen o tasu ke ma su

The monster in the movie helps the humans at the end.

Core concept

Describes a nonhuman being whose unusual form or power makes it a source of fear.

Common phrases

  • 怪物が現れるkai butsu ga arawa re ru

    a monster appears

  • 怪物を倒すkai butsu o tao su

    defeat a monster

  • 怪物と戦うkai butsu to tataka u

    fight a monster

  • 怪物の正体kai butsu no shō tai

    the identity of the monster

Similar words

化け物bakemono: A frightening being with an unnatural or changed appearance.
怪獣kaijū: A huge fictional creature with extraordinary features, often seen in stories and films.
妖怪yōkai: A supernatural being from Japanese folklore, often linked to unusual events or places.

Definition in Japanese

普通の生き物とは異なる姿や能力を持ち、人に恐れられる生き物。fu tsū no i ki mono to wa koto na ru sugata ya nō ryoku o mo chi hito ni oso re ra re ru i ki mono

Word origin

怪物 (kaibutsu) is a compound of 怪 (kai, "strange") and 物 (butsu, "thing"), literally referring to a strange thing.

Usage tips

  • The word 怪物 (kaibutsu) is also used figuratively for someone with remarkable ability, especially in reports about sports or competition.

Related words

  • 怪物化kaibutsukamonsterizationnoun
  • 怪物的kaibuttekimonstrousna-adjective

Word lists with this word