How to Say "Jiraiya" in Japanese

自来也

The phrase jiraiya in Japanese is written as 自来也.

To address Jiraiya formally, you would use the honorific -sama to get Jiraiya-sama.

Did you know?

The name jiraiya is fundamentally a declaration of presence. It mimics a thief who would leave the words 'I have come' at the scene of a crime to taunt the victims.
In Japanese folk art and theater, jiraiya is almost always depicted with a gama or toad. This connection stems from the 'jiraiya gōketsu' legends where the hero commands giant toads.
In its original Chinese form, the phrase used the character 我, meaning 'I', but the Japanese version substituted it with 自, which means 'self'.

会えて光栄です、自来也さま。
It's an honor to meet you, Jiraiya.
おお、ジライヤ！久しぶりだな！
Oh, Jiraiya! Long time no see!
ジライヤは強力な忍者だ。
Jiraiya is a powerful ninja.
ジライヤへの信頼は絶対だ。
The trust in Jiraiya is absolute.
ジライヤに敬意を示そう。
Let's show respect to Jiraiya.
自来也の物語はとても面白いです。
Jiraiya no monogatari wa totemo omoshiroi desu.
The story of Jiraiya is very interesting.
あの映画には自来也が登場します。
Ano eiga ni wa Jiraiya ga toujou shimasu.
Jiraiya appears in that movie.
自来也という名前が好きです。
Jiraiya to iu namae ga suki desu.
I like the name Jiraiya.

Two friends are discussing a famous folk tale at a cafe.

蓮 Ren

美咲さんは自来也を知っていますか？
Misaki-san wa Jiraiya o shitte imasu ka?
Misaki, do you know Jiraiya?
美咲 Misaki

はい、昔話としてよく聞きます。
Hai, mukashibanashi to shite yoku kikimasu.
Yes, I often hear about it as an old folk tale.
蓮 Ren

彼はとても勇敢なキャラクターですよ。
Kare wa totemo yuukan na kyarakutaa desu yo.
He is a very brave character.
美咲 Misaki

蓮さんの話を聞いて、もっと知りたくなりました。
Ren-san no hanashi o kiite, motto shiritaku narimashita.
Hearing your story, Ren, makes me want to know more.

Sources

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