How to say "imp" in Japanese

• 小鬼こおに
  nounBuilt from the characters for 'small' and 'ogre', it covers imp as a small demon or goblin-like being and also serves for elf and pixie creatures; suited to folklore and fantasy contexts.
• インプ
  nounA loanword for the imp itself: the small demon-like creature of European folklore. The closest match for the creature sense, at home in mythology, fantasy and game contexts.
• 邪鬼じゃき
  nounIts senses are devil, imp and evil spirit, leaning toward a wicked demon or evil spirit; it suits the sinister side of imp and is seldom the word for the mischievous folklore creature.
• インターフェイスメッセージプロセッサー
  nounUnrelated to the creature: this is the Interface Message Processor, the IMP of early computer networking. Use it only when English IMP refers to that device.
• 小妖精しょうようせい
  nounReally denotes a small fairy — elf, pixie, sprite or brownie — so it fits imp only when the creature is a sprite-like little being rather than a demon; a marginal match for imp.

For the little demon of European folklore, 「インプ」 is the most direct choice, with 小鬼 a kanji alternative; 邪鬼 leans toward 'evil spirit', 小妖精 toward fairies, and 「インターフェイスメッセージプロセッサー」 is only the computing acronym IMP.

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

• 小鬼こおにimp
• インプimp (creature in European folklore)
• 邪鬼じゃきdevil
• インターフェイスメッセージプロセッサーInterface Message Processor
• 小妖精しょうようせいelf
• いたずらっ子いたずらっこelf
• 小悪魔こあくまlittle devil