This site will be taken down March 31st, 2026.

This was not an easy decision to make. For the last couple years, I have been struggling to find motivation for this site and to keep up with basic maintenance and security updates. With the rise of AI and more sophisticated tools, the usefulness of sites like this is questionable and traffic has nose-dived. I just don't have it in me to keep doing this. Thank you all for 10 years of support!

Zach

妖怪

Reading

Kana: ようかい
Romaji: youkai
Kana
Romaji

Definition

1

ghost; apparition; phantom; spectre; specter; demon; monster; goblin

Kanji

Readings: ヨウ、 あや.しい、 なま.めく、 わざわ.い
Meanings: attractive, bewitching, calamity
Readings: カイ、 ケ、 あや.しい、 あや.しむ
Meanings: suspicious, mystery, apparition

Example Sentence

(いち)(ひき)妖怪(ようかい)がヨーロッパを徘徊(はいかい)している。共産(きょうさん)主義(しゅぎ)という妖怪(ようかい)が。
➥A spectre is haunting Europe — the spectre of communism.
Full Entry➤