1.
vampire
A mythological creature that drinks the blood of the living. Widely used in fiction, anime, manga, and horror.
吸血鬼は日光に弱い。
Vampires are weak against sunlight.
吸血鬼が登場する映画を見た。
I watched a movie featuring vampires.
その小説では、吸血鬼が人間と共存する世界が描かれている。
The novel depicts a world where vampires coexist with humans.
ETYMOLOGY:
Literally "blood-sucking demon" — 吸 (suck) + 血 (blood) + 鬼 (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:
- 吸血鬼映画: vampire movie
- 吸血鬼伝説: vampire legend
- 吸血鬼ドラキュラ: Count Dracula