noun
ghost story; spooky story
A story about ghosts or supernatural happenings, similar to 怪談 but often lighter or for children.
See also: 怪談
子供たちはお化け話を聞くのが大好きだ。
Children love listening to ghost stories.
キャンプファイヤーでお化け話をした。
We told spooky stories around the campfire.
怪談 is a more formal or traditional term for ghost stories, often associated with classic Japanese horror tales. お化け話 is more casual and child-friendly.
Compound of お化け (ghost, monster) and 話 (story). The prefix お is a politeness marker.