ブラッククローバー
burakku kurōbā
ブラッククローバー (burakku kurōbā) is the Japanese way to say "black clover," referring to the title of the Japanese manga and anime series.
This phrase refers specifically to the title of the manga and anime series. Because it is a foreign name, it is written using the katakana script.
Which one should you use?
The full title is ブラッククローバー, while the shortened, informal version is ブラクロ.
How do you pronounce it?
burakku kurōbā
Did you know?
- Because 'four-leaf clovers' are called 'yotsuba no kurōbā' and represent extreme luck, the 'black' in the title creates an immediate sense of irony. To a Japanese reader, a 'black' clover suggests a subversion of the traditional symbol of good fortune.
- While the title uses the loanword ブラック (burakku), the abbreviation ブラクロ (burakuro) actually incorporates the sound of the native Japanese word for black, 黒 (kuro), creating a linguistic hybrid.
- In Japanese gaming and anime culture, the pattern of taking the first two syllables of two words to make a four-syllable title like ブラクロ (burakuro) is so common it has its own social identity as 'otaku' slang.
Examples in context
- ブラッククローバーが大好きです。Burakku Kurōbā ga daisuki desu.I love Black Clover.
- 最近、ブラッククローバーを読み始めました。Saikin, Burakku Kurōbā o yomihajimemashita.I recently started reading Black Clover.
- ブラッククローバーのアニメは面白いです。Burakku Kurōbā no anime wa omoshiroi desu.The Black Clover anime is interesting.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about their favorite manga at a cafe.
- 大翔 Hiroto陽葵さんは、何か好きな漫画はありますか？Himari-san wa, nani ka sukina manga wa arimasu ka?Himari, is there any manga that you like?
- 陽葵 Himariブラッククローバーが一番好きです！Burakku Kurōbā ga ichiban suki desu!I like Black Clover the best!
- 大翔 Hiroto僕もブラッククローバーは知っていますよ。Boku mo Burakku Kurōbā wa shitte imasu yo.I know Black Clover too.
- 陽葵 Himari本当ですか？ぜひ一緒に語りましょう！Hontō desu ka? Zehi issho ni katari mashō!Really? Let's definitely talk about it together!
