クロゴケグモ
kurogokegumo
The English phrase 'black widow' is translated into Japanese as クロゴケグモ (kurogokegumo).
The term refers to the species of venomous spider known as the black widow.
Meaning: species of venomous spider (noun)
Which one should you use?
セグロアシナシグモ is also used as a formal term for the black widow.
How do you pronounce it?
kurogokegumo
Did you know?
- The word koke in the name クロゴケグモ means 'moss', making the literal translation 'black moss spider'.
- In Japanese, the word kumo meaning 'spider' is a homophone for the word for 'cloud', though they use different kanji.
- Unlike the English 'black widow', which evokes the image of a murderous spouse, the Japanese names focus purely on the physical characteristics of the insect.
Examples in context
- 私はハグロゴケグモが苦手です。I am afraid of black widow spiders.
- クロゴケグモはとても危険です。Kurogokegumo wa totemo kiken desu.The black widow is very dangerous.
- 庭にクロゴケグモがいました。Niwa ni Kurogokegumo ga imashita.There was a black widow in the garden.
Example conversation
Misaki and Yota are watching a nature documentary on TV.
- 美咲 Misakiあのクロゴケグモは見たことある？Ano Kurogokegumo wa mita koto aru?Have you ever seen that black widow?
- 陽太 Yotaいや、一度も見たことがないよ。Iya, ichido mo mita koto ga nai yo.No, I have never seen one.
- 美咲 Misakiすごく怖そうな見た目だね。Sugoku kowasou na mitame da ne.It looks really scary.
- 陽太 Yota本当に、近づきたくないね。Hontou ni, chikazukitakunai ne.Really, I don't want to go near it.
