Japanese Word for
幽霊yūrei
ghost · spirit · apparition
Readings
yōkai (supernatural being)
Meaning
Ghost, spirit, apparition. 幽霊 specifically refers to the spirit of a dead person that lingers in the world — the Japanese equivalent of a ghost. 妖怪 are supernatural monsters/spirits more broadly.
Example words
幽霊
yūrei
ghost, apparition of the dead
亡霊
bōrei
ghost, departed spirit
妖怪
yōkai
ghost, monster, supernatural being
お化け
obake
ghost, goblin, monster (general)
霊魂
reikon
soul, spirit
化け物
bakemono
monster, ghost, goblin
Japanese ghost tradition is extraordinarily rich. 幽霊 are spirits of the dead with unfinished business; 妖怪 are supernatural creatures from folklore (like tengu and kappa). The Obon festival (お盆) in August is when the spirits of ancestors return to visit the living — families light lanterns to guide them home.
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