妖怪 yāoguài monster
monster; devil
How to remember 妖怪: 妖 strange + 怪 unusual = monster.
Characters
How it is used
- 'Monster, demon, spirit' of folklore and mythology - the shape-shifting creatures of 西游记 and ghost tales.
- Everyday and often playful; 小妖怪 (xiǎo yāoguài) can even be an affectionate tease for a mischievous kid.
- Broader and more fantastical than 鬼 (guǐ, ghost of a dead person).