九尾
kyūbi
The English phrase "nine tails" is translated into Japanese as 九尾 (kyūbi).
The term refers to a mythical fox creature that possesses nine tails. While 九尾 specifically means "nine tails," the full name for the mythical creature is often expressed as 九尾の狐, which adds the word for fox.
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of the kanji for nine (九) and tail (尾).
How do you pronounce it?
kyūbi
Did you know?
- In ancient Chinese literature, the 九尾 (nine tails) was actually a symbol of a prosperous and peaceful reign, before it was later reimagined in Japan as a more sinister omen.
- In Japanese folklore, a fox only grows its ninth tail after living for a thousand years and turning gold or white. This transformation marks its evolution from a common animal into a celestial being.
- The kanji for tail, 尾, is also used in the Japanese word for 'suffix' or 'end', which is 接尾辞 (setsubiji), showing how the character's meaning extends from animal anatomy to linguistic structure.
Examples in context
- 九尾の狐が登場します。Kyūbi no kitsune ga tōjō shimasu.A nine-tailed fox appears.
- 九尾はとても強力な妖怪です。Kyūbi wa totemo kyōryoku na yōkai desu.The nine tails is a very powerful yokai.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a fantasy novel at a cafe.
- 蓮 Renその物語には九尾が出てくるの？Sono monogatari ni wa kyūbi ga detekuru no?Does the nine tails appear in that story?
- 陽葵 Himariうん、すごく恐ろしい存在として描かれているよ。Un, sugoku osoroshii sonzai to shite egakarete iru yo.Yes, it is depicted as a very terrifying existence.
- 蓮 Ren陽葵さんは、その妖怪が怖くない？Himari-san wa, sono yōkai ga kowakunai?Himari, aren't you afraid of that yokai?
- 陽葵 Himari少し怖いけど、すごくかっこいいと思う。Sukoshi kowai kedo, sugoku kakkoii to omou.I'm a little scared, but I think it's very cool.
