Translation guide
A horror story is a narrative designed to frighten or unsettle. In Japanese, the most common equivalent is 怪談 (kaidan), which refers to traditional ghost stories or tales of the supernatural. For modern horror fiction, ホラー小説 (horā shōsetsu) is used. The word 恐怖話 (kyōfu-banashi) can also mean a scary story, but is less common.
A traditional story about ghosts, spirits, or supernatural events, often told orally or as folklore.
The standard term for a Japanese ghost story or supernatural tale. Often associated with summer storytelling traditions.
夏になると怪談を聞きたくなる。
When summer comes, I feel like listening to ghost stories.
Literally 'scary story'. A more general term that can include horror stories, but often used for casual scary tales.
友達が怖い話をしてくれた。
My friend told me a scary story.
A literary term for weird or supernatural fiction, often used for classic horror literature.
彼は怪奇小説の名作を集めている。
He collects masterpieces of weird fiction.
A horror story in the form of a novel, film, or other modern media, often involving psychological terror, monsters, or gore.
The standard term for a horror novel or short story in modern fiction.
スティーブン・キングのホラー小説が好きです。
I like Stephen King's horror novels.
Specifically a horror movie. Use this when referring to films.
昨夜ホラー映画を見て眠れなかった。
I watched a horror movie last night and couldn't sleep.
Literally 'terror novel'. A less common but understandable term for horror fiction.
恐怖小説を読むと背筋が凍る。
Reading horror novels sends shivers down my spine.
A true or supposedly true story about a terrifying experience, often shared informally.
Refers to a terrifying experience or account, often used for real-life horror stories.
彼の恐怖体験を聞いて鳥肌が立った。
I got goosebumps hearing his horror story.
A true ghost story or supernatural account, combining 'true story' (実話) and 'ghost story' (怪談).
実話怪談はフィクションより怖い。
True ghost stories are scarier than fiction.
怪談 (kaidan) typically refers to traditional Japanese ghost stories with a supernatural element, often set in the Edo period or featuring yūrei (ghosts). ホラー (horā) is a loanword used for modern horror genres, including slasher films, psychological horror, and monsters. Use 怪談 for classic tales and ホラー for contemporary horror.
怪談は夏の風物詩だ。
Ghost stories are a summer tradition.
ホラーゲームをプレイするのが好きだ。
I like playing horror games.
The direct translation '恐怖の話' (kyōfu no hanashi) is not idiomatic and sounds unnatural. Use 怪談 or 怖い話 instead.