金龍
kinryū
The English phrase "golden dragon" is translated into Japanese as 金龍 (kinryū).
This phrase refers to a mythical dragon characterized by having golden scales.
What does it mean word for word?
The term is composed of the kanji 金 (kin), meaning gold or metal and 龍 (ryū), meaning dragon.
Which one should you use?
While 金龍 is the default form, you may also encounter 黄金の龍 or 金色の竜 to describe a golden dragon.
How do you pronounce it?
kinryū
Did you know?
- In Japanese culture, the dragon is often associated with water and rain. A 金龍 is frequently depicted as a protector of the seas or a bringer of prosperous harvests through rain.
- While the phrase refers to a creature, the word 金 (kin) is also the root for the Japanese word for 'Friday', 金曜日, because Friday is the day of metal.
- Unlike Western dragons, which are often hoarders of gold, the 金龍 in East Asian mythology is often seen as a divine messenger or a symbol of the emperor's authority.
Examples in context
- 彼は 黄金の龍 を描いた絵を展示しました。He exhibited a painting of a golden dragon.
- 伝説には金龍が登場します。Densetsu ni wa kinryū ga tōjō shimasu.A golden dragon appears in the legend.
- 金龍の彫刻がとても美しいです。Kinryū no chōkoku ga totemo utsukushii desu.The carving of the golden dragon is very beautiful.
Example conversation
Two siblings are looking at an art book in a library.
- 陽太 Yotaこの絵の金龍はすごいね。Kono e no kinryū wa sugoi ne.The golden dragon in this painting is amazing, isn't it?
- 陽葵 Himari本当だ。陽太兄さん、見て！Hontō da. Yōta niisan, mite!You're right. Look, brother Yōta!
- 陽太 Yota金龍はとても強そうだ。Kinryū wa totemo tsuyosō da.The golden dragon looks very strong.
- 陽葵 Himari陽葵もそう思うよ。Himari mo sō omou yo.Himari thinks so, too.
