爪
[t͡sɨme̞]
The English word "claws" is translated into Japanese as 爪.
The term 爪 (pronounced tsume) refers to the sharp, curved nails found on the end of an animal's toes. It is also the word used for human fingernails and toenails.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word 爪 is pronounced 'tsume'.
Did you know?
- The word 爪 is a linguistic relative of the word for 'wife', 妻 (tsuma). In ancient Japanese, the concept of a 'spouse' was tied to the idea of an 'edge' or 'end', which is the same root found in 'claws'.
- In certain Japanese contexts, such as describing a person's behavior, the phrase 爪を研ぐ (tsume o togu), which literally means 'to sharpen one's claws', is used to describe someone preparing themselves for a fight or a competition.
- The word 爪 is also used in the term 爪先 ('tsumasaki'), which refers to the tip of the toes or the very front of a foot.
Examples in context
- その猫は爪を隠している。The cat is hiding its claws.This sentence is useful for describing how a cat hides its 爪.Tatoeba #6850787 by Sonata, translation #3387119 by JonLDS
- 強い足と長い爪のおかげで、クズリは簡単に木に登ることができる。Thanks to strong paws and long claws, wolverines can easily climb trees.This sentence shows how long 爪 assist a wolverine in climbing trees.Tatoeba #3322498 by Chus, translation #3322497 by Chus
- 猫の爪Cat's claws
- クマの爪Bear's claws
- 鳥の爪はとても鋭いです。Tori no tsume wa totemo surudoi desu.A bird's claws are very sharp.
Example conversation
Yui and Kenta are watching a documentary about eagles at home.
- 結衣 Yuiあの鳥の爪、すごいね！Ano tori no tsume, sugoi ne!Those bird claws are amazing!
- 健太 Kentaそうだね、とても強そうだ。Sou dane, totemo tsuyosou da.You're right, they look very strong.
- 結衣 Yui獲物を逃さないんだろうね。Emono o nogasanai n darou ne.I bet they don't let their prey escape.
- 健太 Kenta結衣の言う通りだと思うよ。Yui no iu toori da to omou yo.I think you're right, Yui.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 爪, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 爪, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
