クロゴケグモ
kurogokegumo
The English phrase 'black widow spider' is translated into Japanese as クロゴケグモ (kurogokegumo).
The term refers to the venomous spider characterized by a red hourglass mark on its abdomen.
Which one should you use?
While クロゴケグモ is the standard term, クロイトゴケグモ can also be used as a specific formal way to refer to the black widow spider.
How do you pronounce it?
kurogokegumo
Did you know?
- While English uses the metaphor of a 'widow' to name the spider, the Japanese name クロゴケグモ relies entirely on biological and color-based descriptors without any human-centric personification.
- The term グモ is a phonetic variation of クモ meaning 'spider'. This shift in sound often happens in Japanese compound words to make them easier to pronounce.
- While クロゴケグモ is the general term, the Japanese name クロイトゴケグモ contains the word イト, meaning 'thread'. This refers to the specific texture of the spider's web rather than just its color.
Examples in context
- あれはクロイトゴケグモと言います。That is called a black widow spider.
- 庭にクロゴケグモがいました。niwa ni kurogokegumo ga imashita.There was a black widow spider in the garden.
- クロゴケグモの模様は赤いです。kurogokegumo no moyou wa akai desu.The black widow spider's pattern is red.
Example conversation
Yui and Kenta are cleaning a garage together.
- 結衣 Yui健太、あそこにクロゴケグモがいるよ！Kenta, asoko ni kurogokegumo ga iru yo!Kenta, there's a black widow spider over there!
- 健太 Kentaえっ、本当？どこにあるの？E, hontou? Doko ni aru no?What, really? Where is it?
- 結衣 Yuiあの隅っこにいるから近づかないで。Ano sumikko ni iru kara chikadukanai de.It's in that corner, so don't go near it.
- 健太 Kentaわかった。すぐに外に出そう。Wakatta. Sugu ni soto ni dasou.Got it. Let's get it outside right away.
