イタチ
itachi
The Japanese word イタチ refers to the English phrase 'itachi', which means a small carnivorous mammal known as a weasel.
How do you pronounce it?
itachi
Did you know?
- In Japanese folklore, the イタチ is often depicted as a shape-shifter that can trick humans by disguising itself as a person.
- There is a traditional Japanese belief that the イタチ is a symbol of bad luck if it enters a house.
- Japanese culture makes a sharp distinction between the イタチ and the テン (Japanese marten), though English speakers often confuse both as 'weasels'.
Examples in context
- イタチはとても素早い動物です。itachi wa totemo subayai doubutsu desu.A weasel is a very fast animal.
- 庭にイタチがいました。niwa ni itachi ga imashita.There was a weasel in the garden.
- イタチのぬいぐるみを買いました。itachi no nuigurumi o kaimashita.I bought a weasel stuffed animal.
Example conversation
Misaki and Yota are looking at a wild animal in the park.
- 美咲 Misaki見て、あそこにイタチがいるよ！mite, asoko ni itachi ga iru yo!Look, there is a weasel over there!
- 陽太 Yota本当だ。すごく可愛いね。hontou da. sugoku kawaii ne.You're right. It's really cute.
- 美咲 Misakiあ、もう逃げてしまった。a, mou nigete shimatta.Oh, it already ran away.
- 陽太 Yotaあんなに速いとは驚いたよ。anna ni hayai to wa odoroita yo.I'm surprised it was that fast.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry イタチ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
