おばけ
おばけ
noun
ghost, monster
1.
ghost, monster, spook
A general term for ghosts, monsters, or supernatural creatures. Very commonly used with children and in casual speech. Can refer to traditional Japanese spirits or any scary supernatural being.
おばけが出る！
A ghost will appear!
おばけなんていない。
There's no such thing as ghosts.
子供たちはおばけの話を聞いて怖がった。
The children got scared listening to the ghost story.
おばけ is a broad, casual term for any ghost, monster, or supernatural creature. It is the most common word used with children and in everyday speech.
KANJI:
Can be written as お化け or 御化け. Hiragana is standard, especially in children's contexts.
WORD FORMATION:
From 化ける (to transform, take another form), with the polite prefix お.
COMMON EXPRESSIONS:
- おばけが出る: a ghost appears
- おばけ屋敷: haunted house
- おばけの話 / おばけ話: ghost story
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 幽霊: ghost of a dead person (more specific, scarier)
- 妖怪: traditional Japanese monster or spirit (folklore term)
- 化け物: monster, creature (stronger, more frightening)
- おばけ is the mildest and most child-friendly of these terms