魔怪

móguài

noun #31,954

Measure Word

一个魔怪 gè

Meanings

1 demons and monsters
2 ghouls
3 evil spirits

Characters

demon, devil (from Sanskrit 'Mara')

strange, monster

Examples

这部电影里有很多魔怪。

Zhè bù diànyǐng lǐ yǒu hěn duō móguài.

There are many monsters and demons in this movie.

传说中山里住着魔怪。

Chuánshuō zhōng shān lǐ zhù zhe móguài.

Legend says monsters dwell in the mountains.

Tips

memory

Two near-synonyms compounded: 魔 (mó, 'demon') from Buddhist 'Mara' + 怪 (guài, 'strange/monster'). Common in fantasy and folklore — close to English 'ghouls and bogies' or 'monsters'. Compare 妖怪 (yāoguài), the more standard fairy-tale 'monster'.

Stroke Order

魔 mó

怪 guài