Yūrei
/jɯːɾeː/noun
In Japanese folklore, a ghost or restless spirit, especially one unable to move on because of an unresolved attachment.
Did you know?Traditional yūrei are often depicted with white burial robes and lacking feet, reflecting older Japanese funerary imagery and the belief that an unsettled spirit could remain tied to the world.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Chinese
Classical Chinese
幽靈
“A hidden, obscure, or unseen spirit; the characters were later adopted into Japanese.”
Heian Period
Japanese
幽霊（ゆうれい）
“A ghost or spirit of the dead, written with Sino-Japanese readings.”
Edo Period
Japanese
Yūrei
“A culturally recognizable restless ghost, increasingly represented in stories, theater, and visual art.”
18th–19th Century
Japanese
幽霊
“A supernatural apparition, often connected with death, vengeance, grief, or unfinished obligations.”
20th–21st Century
English
yūrei
“An English loanword for a Japanese ghost or restless spirit, especially in discussions of folklore, horror, and popular culture.”