九尾の狐
kyūbi no kitsune
The phrase for "nine-tailed fox" in Japanese is 九尾の狐 (kyūbi no kitsune).
The phrase 九尾の狐 is used to refer specifically to the mythical creature in folklore and modern media.
What does it mean word for word?
The term is composed of 九尾 (kyūbi), which literally means "nine tails". In this part, 九 (kyū) means "nine" and 尾 (bi) means "tail".
How do you pronounce it?
kyūbi no kitsune
Did you know?
- While 九尾の狐 can be a malevolent spirit, the general word for fox, 狐, is associated with Inari, the deity of rice and prosperity, whose messengers are white foxes.
- The kanji for tail, 尾 (bi), is also used in the word for 'meteor' or 'comet', which are often described as having 'tails' in Japanese.
- In Japanese folklore, a fox reaching its ninth tail is often depicted as gaining the ability to see through illusions and even assume a beautiful human form.
Examples in context
- 日本の伝説には、九尾の狐がしばしば登場します。In Japanese legends, the nine-tailed fox often appears.
- あのアニメには、九尾狐が主人公の一人として出てくるんだよ。In that anime, the nine-tailed fox appears as one of the main characters.
- 九尾の狐はとても強力な妖怪です。Kyūbi no kitsune wa totemo kyōryoku na yōkai desu.The nine-tailed fox is a very powerful yokai.
- 伝説では九尾の狐が登場します。Densetsu de wa kyūbi no kitsune ga tōjō shimasu.The nine-tailed fox appears in the legends.
- 九尾の狐の絵を描きました。Kyūbi no kitsune no e o kakimashita.I drew a picture of a nine-tailed fox.
Example conversation
Two friends are looking at a book of Japanese folklore in a cafe.
- 大翔 Hirotoこの本に九尾の狐が載っているよ。Kono hon ni kyūbi no kitsune ga notte iru yo.The nine-tailed fox is in this book.
- 美咲 Misaki本当だ、すごく神秘的なデザインだね。Hontō da, sugoku shinpiteki na dezain da ne.You're right, it has a very mysterious design.
- 大翔 Hiroto美咲は、この伝説を知っていた？Misaki wa, kono densetsu o shitte ita?Misaki, did you know this legend?
- 美咲 Misaki名前は聞いたことがあったよ。Namae wa kiita koto ga atta yo.I had heard the name before.
