飢えた狼
The English phrase hungry wolf is expressed in Japanese as 飢えた狼.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of two parts: 飢えた, which is the past tense or perfective form of the verb 飢える (to starve or to be hungry) used here to describe a state and 狼, which means wolf.
How does it change in a sentence?
In Japanese, the adjective-like verb 飢えた directly precedes the noun 狼 to modify it.
Did you know?
- The word 狼 can be read as ōkami, which is a homophone for the word 大神 meaning 'great god'.
- In Japanese, the phrase 飢えた狼 can be used metaphorically to describe a person with an insatiable greed for power or money. This goes beyond literal hunger and enters the realm of psychological characterization.
- While 狼 means 'wolf', Japanese folklore often treats the wolf as a protective deity rather than a mindless predator. In many regions, wolves were called 大神 or 'great god' to show respect.
Examples in context
- 彼は空腹の狼のように食べたHe ate like a hungry wolf.
- あの子はいつも腹ペコの狼だねThat kid is always like a hungry wolf.
- あの物語には、飢えた狼が登場します。Ano monogatari ni wa, ueta ookami ga toujou shimasu.A hungry wolf appears in that story.
- 飢えた狼のような鋭い目が印象的だ。Ueta ookami no you na surudoi me ga inshouteki da.The sharp eyes like a hungry wolf are impressive.
- 彼は飢えた狼のように獲物を探している。Kare wa ueta ookami no you ni emono o sagashite iru.He is searching for prey like a hungry wolf.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a dark fantasy movie.
- 結衣 Yuiあの映画の敵は、飢えた狼みたいだったね。Ano eiga no teki wa, ueta ookami mitai datta ne.The enemy in that movie was like a hungry wolf, wasn't he?
- 陽太 Yotaそうだね、すごく怖かったよ。Sou da ne, sugoku kowakatta yo.That's true, he was very scary.
- 結衣 Yui陽太くんは、あのシーンが好きだった？Youta-kun wa, ano shiin ga suki datta?Youta, did you like that scene?
- 陽太 Yota結衣、僕はアクションシーンの方が好きだよ。Yui, boku wa akushon shiin no hou ga suki da yo.Yui, I prefer the action scenes.
