Definition
精怪 refers to supernatural beings in Chinese folklore — often animals, plants, or objects that have cultivated spiritual power over time and gained human-like intelligence or magical abilities. They are distinct from ghosts (鬼) and demons (魔) in traditional belief, and appear frequently in myths, novels like 西游记, and modern fantasy media.
n.
supernatural beingspirit (often an animal or object that has become sentient)monster in Chinese folklore
Examples
- 《》精怪，。《Xīyóujì》 lǐ yǒu hěn duō jīng guài, bǐrú Báigǔjīng hé Zhīzhūjīng.Journey to the West has many spirits, such as the White Bone Demon and the Spider Spirit.
- ，精怪。Mínjiān chuánshuō zhōng, húli xiūliàn chéng jīng guài de gùshi tèbié duō.In folk tales, stories of foxes cultivating into spirits are especially common.
- ，精怪。Tā xiě de qíhuàn xiǎoshuō lǐ, jīng guài hé rénlèi yìqǐ shēnghuó.In the fantasy novel he wrote, spirits live together with humans.
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