招き
maneki[ma̠ne̞kʲi]
The Japanese word 招き (maneki) means beckoning or gesturing to someone to come closer.
招き is used to describe the act of beckoning, inviting or gesturing for someone to approach.
How do you pronounce it?
maneki
Did you know?
- In Japan, the physical gesture for maneki is performed with the palm facing down and fingers waving toward the speaker, which is the opposite of the palm-up gesture used in many Western cultures.
- Depending on which paw a maneki-neko raises, the meaning changes: a raised left paw is traditionally intended to beckon people, while a raised right paw beckons money and fortune.
- While maneki usually implies luck or invitation, the verb maneku can also be used to describe how a person's behavior 'invites' a disaster or a fight.
Examples in context
- この店のカウンターに招き猫が飾ってありますね。The beckoning cat is displayed on the counter of this shop, right?
- そう、あのお店のネコの手って可愛いよね。Yeah, the cat's paw at that place is so cute.
Example conversation
Misaki and Yota are at a crowded festival.
- 美咲 Misaki陽太くん、こっちに来て！Yota-kun, kocchi ni kite!Yota, come over here!
- 陽太 Yotaあ、招きの手を振ってるね。A, maneki no te o futteru ne.Oh, you're gesturing for me to come.
- 美咲 Misaki早くして、ここが良い場所だよ。Hayaku shite, koko ga ii basho dayo.Hurry up, this is a great spot.
- 陽太 Yota今行くよ、美咲。Ima iku yo, Misaki.I'm coming now, Misaki.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 招き, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
