ヒドラ
hidora[çido̞ɾa̠]
ヒドラ (hidora) is the Japanese word for the mythical serpent hydra.
The term refers to the mythical multi-headed serpent. In a biological context, the same word ヒドラ is used to describe small freshwater polyps of the genus Hydra and related genera.
Meaning: mythical serpent (name)
Which one should you use?
ヒドラ is a katakana transliteration of the Greek/Latin name, whereas 多頭蛇 is a formal term that literally means 'multi-headed serpent'.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
hidora
Did you know?
- In Japanese pop culture and video games, a ヒドラ may not look like a serpent at all and can be any colossal creature with multiple parts.
- In Japanese fantasy literature, using the kanji 多頭蛇 instead of the katakana ヒドラ can change the tone from a modern, westernized fantasy feel to a more classical, archaic atmosphere.
- In Japanese, the word 頭 (tō) used in 多頭蛇 to mean 'head' is also the specific counter used for counting large animals like cattle or horses.
Examples in context
- 私たちはヒドラが伝説の生物であることを知っています。We know that the hydra is a legendary creature.
- 伝説のヒドラが登場しました。Densetsu no hidora ga toujou shimashita.The legendary hydra appeared.
- ヒドラはたくさんの頭を持っています。Hidora wa takusan no atama o motte imasu.The hydra has many heads.
- あのヒドラはとても強そうです。Ano hidora wa totemo tsuyosou desu.That hydra looks very strong.
Example conversation
Two friends are playing a fantasy role-playing video game.
- 陽葵 Himari次はヒドラとの戦いだよ！Tsugi wa hidora tono tatakai da yo!Next is the battle with the hydra!
- 健太 Kentaヒドラは倒すのが難しいよね。Hidora wa taosu no ga muzukashii yo ne.The hydra is hard to defeat, isn't it?
- 陽葵 Himari健太ならきっと勝てるよ。Kenta nara kitto kateru yo.I'm sure you can win, Kenta.
- 健太 Kentaありがとう、頑張るよ！Arigatou, ganbaru yo!Thanks, I'll do my best!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry ヒドラ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
