The “Boogeyman” is a mythical creature found in many cultures, often used by adults to frighten children into good behavior. While the name and characteristics of the Boogeyman vary from country to country, the concept remains strikingly similar—a scary figure that punishes misbehaving kids. Here’s how different languages refer to this spooky folklore character:
- Spanish – El Coco or El Hombre del Saco
- French – Le Croque-mitaine
- German – Der schwarze Mann or Buhmann
- Italian – L’uomo nero
- Portuguese – O Bicho Papão
- Russian – Бабай (Babai)
- Arabic – أبو رجل مسلوخة (Abu Rajul Masloukha)
- Turkish – Öcü
- Japanese – バケモノ (Bakemono)
- Chinese (Mandarin) – 妖怪 (Yāoguài)
- Dutch – Boeman
- Hindi – भूत (Bhoot) or डाइन (Dayan – witchlike figure)
- Polish – Straszydło or Baba Jaga
- Greek – Μπαμπούλας (Bampoulas)
- Swedish – Buse or Svarta Mannen