鬼滅の刃
The Japanese phrase 鬼滅の刃 corresponds to the English phrase 'kimetsu no yaiba'.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the following parts: 鬼 (ki) meaning demon, 滅 (metsu) meaning destruction or annihilation, の (no) which is a possessive particle and 刃 (yaiba) meaning blade. Together, they translate literally to 'demon destruction's blade'.
Did you know?
- While 鬼 ('oni') is the primary word for demon, Japanese has other words like 悪魔 ('akuma'). 悪魔 refers to Western-style devils, whereas 鬼 is uniquely rooted in Japanese folklore.
- While 刃 ('yaiba') means 'blade' or 'edge', it is a poetic and archaic term. In modern daily Japanese, people usually use 刀 ('katana') for a sword or ナイフ ('naifu') for a knife.
- The kanji 滅 ('metsu') is used in the Japanese word for 'extinction' (絶滅), giving the phrase a sense of total eradication rather than just a simple defeat.
Examples in context
- 「鬼滅の刃」はとても人気があります。“Kimetsu no Yaiba” wa totemo ninki ga arimasu.“Kimetsu no Yaiba” is very popular.
- 最近「鬼滅の刃」を読みました。Saikin “Kimetsu no Yaiba” o yomimashita.I recently read “Kimetsu no Yaiba”.
- 「鬼滅の刃」のアニメは面白いですね。“Kimetsu no Yaiba” no anime wa omoshiroi desu ne.The “Kimetsu no Yaiba” anime is interesting, isn't it?
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about their favorite manga at a cafe.
- 美咲 Misaki蓮くんは「鬼滅の刃」を見たことがありますか？Ren-kun wa “Kimetsu no Yaiba” o mita koto ga arimasu ka?Ren, have you ever seen “Kimetsu no Yaiba”?
- 蓮 Renはい、大好きです。Hai, daisuki desu.Yes, I love it.
- 美咲 Misaki私もです！とても感動しました。Watashi mo desu! Totemo kandou shimashita.Me too! I was very moved.
- 蓮 Renストーリーが本当に素晴らしいですよね。Sutoorii ga hontou ni subarashii desu ne.The story is truly wonderful, isn't it?
