How to say "beast" in Japanese

• 獣けものJLPT N1approx.Common
  nounThe neutral word for a beast in the literal sense — a wild animal — and it can also brand a person a brute, someone acting with animal savagery. Your default choice for describing actual creatures.
  世界せかいで、鹿しかやムースやキジといった野性やせい獣じゅうを狩かることは違法いほうとする国くにが多おおい。↗

  In many parts of the world it is illegal to shoot wild game such as deer, moose or pheasant.
• ビーストCommon
  nounThe loanword from English, used where that flavor is wanted — in names, titles, and for monstrous beasts in fantasy and games. It is not how you would normally refer to an animal.
• ちくしょうJLPT N1approx.Common
  nounReally a curse: it reviles a person as a beast or brute, and alone it serves as an exclamation of anger or frustration. Seldom a neutral way to say 'beast'.

Use 獣 for the literal beast — a wild animal — or for calling someone a brute; 「ビースト」 is the English loanword, at home in names, titles, and fantasy monsters; 「ちくしょう」 is a curse, used to revile a person as a beast.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 獣けものbeast
• ビーストbeast
• 人でなしひとでなしbrute
• 禽獣きんじゅうbirds and beasts
• 人非人にんぴにんinhuman person
• 犬畜生いぬちくしょうmangy cur
• ちくしょうbeast
• 四つ足よつあし(four-legged) animal