Standard Lemma guide

yokai

noun · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

noun

Meaning 1

Any of various supernatural monsters, sometimes shapeshifters, in Japanese folklore.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: Japanese

Topics: arts, folklore, history, human-sciences, literature, media, mysticism, mythology, philosophy, publishing, sciences

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From Japanese 妖怪 (yōkai, “ghost, phantom”).

Across languages

Translations

6 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese Mandarin: 妖怪 (yāoguài) — Japanese monster
  • Chinese Mandarin: 日本妖怪 (Rìběn yāoguài) — Japanese monster
  • French: yokai — Japanese monster
  • Japanese: 妖怪 (yōkai) — Japanese monster
  • Japanese: 日本の妖怪 — Japanese monster
  • Polish: yōkai — Japanese monster