kaiju

From Japanese 怪獣 (かいじゅう, kaijū), from Middle Chinese 怪 (kwɛ̀j, “strange, fantastic”) +‎ 獸 (ʃùw, “beast”) (compare Mandarin 怪兽 (guàishòu)).

• IPA^(key): /ˈkai.d͡ʒu/

kaiju (plural kaiju)

1. A giant monster, particularly such as those common to Japanese science fiction films, like Godzilla or Gamera.
   • 2015, Steve Aylett, Heart of the Original, Unbound, p. 117:

     The resurrections of Mothra, the giant butterfly in Japanese kaiju movies, are treated as colourful religious events, glitter falling upon fat children as the fluffy-faced behemoth dries its wings.

kaiju

1. Rōmaji transcription of かいじゅう

kaiju f

1. accusative singular form of kaija
2. instrumental singular form of kaija
3. genitive plural form of kaija