Speakur

Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

yokai

Word Rarity Very rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 2.22 in modern English

Syllables
yokai
IPA
12
Scrabble Score
5
Letters
1
Syllables
5
Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

Any of various supernatural monsters, sometimes shapeshifters, in Japanese folklore.

Example Sentences

Etymology

Borrowed from Japanese 妖怪 (yōkai, “ghost, phantom, monster”), from Middle Chinese 妖怪 ('jew kweajᴴ) with the similar meaning.

Word Breakdown

Inflected Forms

yokais (plural) yōkai (alternative) youkai (alternative)

Questions

What does yokai mean?
Any of various supernatural monsters, sometimes shapeshifters, in Japanese folklore.
Where does yokai come from?
Borrowed from Japanese 妖怪 (yōkai, “ghost, phantom, monster”), from Middle Chinese 妖怪 ('jew kweajᴴ) with the similar meaning.

How to pronounce yokai

  1. Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “yokai”.
  2. Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling () so you know which sounds to aim for.
  3. Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “yokai”.
  4. Repeat and practice — Say “yokai” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.