Japanese word

怪獣

Pronunciation

Romajikaijū

Meaning

  • nounmonster

Example

子どもたちは怪獣の絵を描きます。ko do mo ta chi wa kai jū no e o ega ki ma su

The children draw pictures of monsters.

Illustration for 怪獣 (monster)

More examples

昔の映画には、怪獣がよく登場します。mukashi no ei ga ni wa kai jū ga yo ku tō jō shi ma su

Monsters often appear in old movies.

Core concept

Presents a creature whose strange form and extraordinary powers set it apart from ordinary animals.

Common phrases

  • 怪獣の絵kai jū no e

    picture of a monster

  • 怪獣映画kai jū ei ga

    monster movie

  • 怪獣の登場kai jū no tō jō

    monster's appearance

Similar words

怪物kaibutsu: A strange or frightening creature that differs greatly from ordinary animals.
モンスターmonsutā: A creature in a story, game, or film that is unusual, frightening, or difficult to defeat.
化け物bakemono: A creature with an unnatural appearance that people regard as frightening or unnatural.

Definition in Japanese

現実には存在しない、異様な姿や特異な力を持つ大きな生き物。gen jitsu ni wa son zai shi na i i yō na sugata ya toku i na chikara o mo tsu ō ki na i ki mono

Word origin

怪 (kai, "strange") and 獣 (jū, "beast") combine to form a word for a strange or monstrous beast.

Usage tips

  • Kaiju is an English loanword, and Godzilla is its best-known example in films familiar to many English speakers.

Word lists with this word