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化け物 (ばけもの) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Common word JLPT N1 Freq. Frequency Top 20,000 Meanings 1
noun
monster ; goblin ; ghost ; apparition
Refers to a supernatural creature that has transformed or taken on a frightening form; can also be used figuratively for a person with extraordinary or monstrous qualities.
He is a monster at work (a workaholic or extremely capable person).
Written forms 化け物 Usage 58% i Usage for this spelling across all readings, not one reading alone.
化物 Usage 25% i Usage for this spelling across all readings, not one reading alone.
バケモノ Usage 6%
ばけもの Usage 6%
Kana spelling, often used in casual or child-friendly contexts.
化けもんばけもの Usage 3%
化ば けもの Usage 2%
ばけもん Usage 1%
Colloquial or dialectal variant of ばけもの.
Kanji 化 change, take the form of, influence Similar words 妖よう 怪かい 妖怪 is a broader term for all kinds of Japanese folkloric spirits and demons, while 化け物 specifically emphasizes a transformed or monstrous appearance.
お 化ば け お化け is a more child-friendly or cute term for ghosts and monsters, often used in everyday speech, whereas 化け物 can sound more serious or frightening.
Etymology From the verb 化ける (bakeru, 'to transform') + 物 (mono, 'thing'), literally 'transformed thing'. The reading ばけもの is standard; ばけもん is a colloquial variant.
