爪
tsume[t͡sɨme̞]
The Japanese word for "claw" is 爪 (tsume).
The word 爪 refers to a curved horny nail and is used to describe both the claws of animals and the fingernails or toenails of humans.
Meaning: curved horny nail (noun)
Which one should you use?
While 爪 can mean a claw, the more specific term 鉤爪 is often used to describe the sharp, hooked claws of predatory animals.
How do you pronounce it?
tsume
Did you know?
- The word for 'claw' 爪 shares a common root with the word for 'wife' 妻, both of which are pronounced tsuma in certain contexts.
- In Japanese folklore, cutting your 爪 at night is often believed to shorten your life.
- The phrase 爪を立てる literally means 'to stand one's claws' but is used figuratively to describe someone acting hostile or aggressive.
Examples in context
- 猫の爪は鋭いです。Neko no tsume wa surudoi desu.A cat's claws are sharp.
- 鳥の爪を見てください。Tori no tsume o mite kudasai.Please look at the bird's claws.
- その怪物の爪は大きかった。Sono kaibutsu no tsume wa ookikatta.That monster's claws were large.
Example conversation
Two friends are looking at a nature documentary on TV.
- 結衣 Yuiこの鷹の爪、すごく長いね。Kono taka no tsume, sugoku nagai ne.This hawk's claws are really long, aren't they?
- 健太 Kenta本当だ。鋭い爪を持っているね。Hontou da. Surudoi tsume o motte iru ne.True. It has sharp claws.
- 結衣 Yui健太君、怖くない？Kenta-kun, kowakunai?Kenta, isn't it scary?
- 健太 Kenta僕はそんなに怖くないよ。Boku wa sonna ni kowakunai yo.I'm not that scared.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “claw” translations and entries 爪, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 爪, CC BY-SA 4.0.
