槍
yari[ja̠ɾʲi]
The English word 'lance' can be translated into Japanese as 槍 (yari) or 矛. If unsure, use 槍.
Meaning: weapon of war (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 槍 | yari | [ja̠ɾʲi] (narrow) |
| 矛 | hoko |
Both terms refer to a weapon of war, specifically a spear or lance.
Which one should you use?
槍 (yari) is the most common and general term for a spear or lance. 矛 (hoko) specifically refers to a spear with a wider or more leaf-shaped blade.
How do you pronounce it?
yari
Did you know?
- In Japanese folklore, the 矛 is associated with the 'mythical spear' used by deities to create the islands of Japan.
- The phrase 槍を投げ出す (yari o nagedasu) can be used metaphorically to describe giving up or abandoning a goal.
- The word 槍 (yari) is etymologically linked to the verb 遣る (yaru), which means 'to do' or 'to execute' but carries the heavy connotation of 'to kill'.
Examples in context
- これは槍だよ。This is a lance.This sentence is useful for identifying the object 槍.Tatoeba #10699248 by small_snow, translation #10360256 by AlanF_US
- 騎士は長い槍を持っています。kishi wa nagai yari o motte imasu.The knight has a long lance.
- 博物館に古い槍が展示されています。hakubutsukan ni furui yari ga tenji sarete imasu.An old lance is on display in the museum.
Example conversation
Ren and Misaki are at a museum looking at old weapons.
- 蓮 Ren見て、この槍はすごいね。mite, kono yari wa sugoi ne.Look, this lance is amazing.
- 美咲 Misaki本当に、とても鋭そうです。hontou ni, totemo surudou sou desu.Really, it looks very sharp.
- 蓮 Ren昔の人は槍で戦ったんだよ。mukashi no hito wa yari de tatakatta n da yo.People in the old days fought with lances.
- 美咲 Misaki想像すると怖いです。souzou suru to kowai desu.It's scary to imagine.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “lance” translations and entries 槍, 矛, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 槍, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
