吸血鬼(きゅうけつき)

きゅうけつき
noun
vampire
culture
1. vampire
A mythological creature that drinks the blood of the living. Widely used in fiction, anime, manga, and horror.
吸血鬼(きゅうけつき)は日光(にっこう)に弱(よわ)い。
Vampires are weak against sunlight.
I watched a movie featuring vampires.
The novel depicts a world where vampires coexist with humans.

Etymology

Literally "blood-sucking demon" — 吸(きゅう) (suck) + 血(けつ) (blood) + 鬼(き) (demon/ogre).

Usage

A popular subject in Japanese pop culture (anime, manga, light novels, games). The katakana バンパイア is also used, especially in titles and loanword-heavy contexts.

Common collocations

  • 吸血鬼(きゅうけつき)映画(えいが): vampire movie
  • 吸血鬼(きゅうけつき)伝説(でんせつ): vampire legend
  • 吸血鬼(きゅうけつき)ドラキュラ: Count Dracula