鬼魅 (guǐmèi) is a literary, slightly archaic compound noun meaning 'ghosts and specters'—supernatural beings often associated with fear, mystery, or the unseen world. The first character 鬼 (guǐ) means 'ghost' or 'spirit of the dead', while 魅 (mèi) refers specifically to a captivating yet eerie spirit or demon, sometimes one that lures people with illusion or charm. Together, they form a parallel compound emphasizing both the frightening and elusive qualities of such entities.

This term appears frequently in classical Chinese literature, folklore, horror stories, and modern media like films and novels. It carries poetic weight and evokes an atmosphere of uncanny ambiguity—less clinical than scientific terms for supernatural phenomena, and more vivid than generic words like 灵魂 (soul). While not used in everyday casual speech, it’s common in descriptive writing, storytelling, and cultural discussions about traditional beliefs and the afterlife.