Translation guide
A horror story is a narrative designed to frighten or unsettle. In Japanese, the most common equivalent is 怪談 (kaidan), which refers to traditional ghost stories or tales of the supernatural. For modern horror fiction, ホラー小説 (horā shōsetsu) is used. The word 恐怖話 (kyōfu-banashi) can also mean a scary story, but is less common.
A traditional story about ghosts, spirits, or supernatural events, often told orally or as folklore.
The standard term for a Japanese ghost story or supernatural tale. Often associated with summer storytelling traditions.
When summer comes, I feel like listening to ghost stories.
Literally 'scary story'. A more general term that can include horror stories, but often used for casual scary tales.
My friend told me a scary story.
A literary term for weird or supernatural fiction, often used for classic horror literature.
He collects masterpieces of weird fiction.
A horror story in the form of a novel, film, or other modern media, often involving psychological terror, monsters, or gore.
The standard term for a horror novel or short story in modern fiction.
I like Stephen King's horror novels.
Specifically a horror movie. Use this when referring to films.
Literally 'terror novel'. A less common but understandable term for horror fiction.
A true or supposedly true story about a terrifying experience, often shared informally.
怪談 (kaidan) typically refers to traditional Japanese ghost stories with a supernatural element, often set in the Edo period or featuring yūrei (ghosts). ホラー (horā) is a loanword used for modern horror genres, including slasher films, psychological horror, and monsters. Use 怪談 for classic tales and ホラー for contemporary horror.
Ghost stories are a summer tradition.
I like playing horror games.
The direct translation '恐怖の話' (kyōfu no hanashi) is not idiomatic and sounds unnatural. Use 怪談 or 怖い話 instead.
I watched a horror movie last night and couldn't sleep.
Reading horror novels sends shivers down my spine.
True ghost stories are scarier than fiction.