How to say "goblin" in Japanese

Choosing the right word

化け物ばけものCommon
nounCovers a goblin as a frightening monster or apparition. Best when the emphasis is on something visibly transformed and scary — a creature in a ghost story or a fearsome figure of folklore.
その建物たてものは化け物ばけものみたいだ。↗
The building is a monstrous structure.
妖怪ようかいCommon
nounPoints to the uncanny, supernatural side: a phantom or apparition of legend rather than a cute or familiar goblin. Use it for eerie beings in folklore and mythology contexts.
一いち匹ひきの妖怪ようかいがヨーロッパを徘徊はいかいしている。共産主義きょうさんしゅぎという妖怪ようかいが。↗
A spectre is haunting Europe ― the spectre of communism.
魔物まものCommon
nounA marginal choice for 'goblin': its glosses centre on demon, devil and evil spirit, so it suits a malevolent demonic monster, not the folkloric goblin most learners mean.
おばけCommon
nounThe everyday, natural word for a goblin or monster, especially the spooky-but-familiar creatures of ghost stories and children's tales. Usually written in kana alone, as here.

For the folktale creature or spooky 'goblin', 「おばけ」 or 「化け物」 are the everyday choices; 妖怪 suggests an uncanny apparition, and 魔物 leans toward a demonic monster rather than a goblin.

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

Japanese equivalents

化け物ばけものgoblin
妖怪ようかいghost
魔物まものdemon
変化へんげshapeshifting (of an animal or spirit)
ゴブリンgoblin
コボルトkobold (evil spirit in German folklore)
小鬼こおにimp
妖鬼ようきghost
おばけgoblin
化生けしょうgoblin
怪異かいいghost
曲者くせものgoblin

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