不死鳥
fushichō[ɸɯ̟̊ɕit͡ɕo̞ː]
The English phrase "phoenix bird" is translated into Japanese as 不死鳥 (fushichō).
不死鳥 is used to describe the mythical bird that is reborn from its own ashes. In Japanese mythology, the name Suzaku is associated with a phoenix bird representing the Vermilion Bird of the South.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 不死鳥 is composed of the characters for "immortal" (不死) and "bird" (鳥).
Which one should you use?
不死鳥 refers to the Western concept of a phoenix reborn from ashes.
How do you pronounce it?
fushichō
Did you know?
- The term 不死鳥 is often used metaphorically in Japanese sports journalism to describe a player or team that overcomes a devastating injury or a long losing streak.
- While 不死鳥 is used for the Western phoenix, Japanese culture has its own legendary bird called the 鳳凰 (hōō) which represents elegance and peace rather than rebirth from ashes.
- The reading chō in 不死鳥 comes from the Chinese reading of the character 鳥, which is why it sounds more formal than the native Japanese reading 'tori'.
Examples in context
- 伝説では、不死鳥は炎の中から生まれます。Densetsu de wa, fushichou wa honoo no naka kara umaremasu.According to legend, the phoenix is born from flames.
- 彼は不死鳥のような強さを持っています。Kare wa fushichou no you na tsuyosa o motte imasu.He has a strength like a phoenix.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a fantasy novel at a cafe.
- 結衣 Yuiこの物語には不死鳥が出てくるの？Kono monogatari ni wa fushichou ga detekuru no?Does a phoenix appear in this story?
- 蓮 Renうん、すごく印象的な存在だよ。Un, sugoku inshouteki na sonzai dayo.Yes, it is a very striking presence.
- 結衣 Yui蓮くんは、その鳥の描写が好き？Ren-kun wa, sono tori no byousha ga suki?Ren, do you like the description of that bird?
- 蓮 Renああ、とてもかっこいいよ。Aa, totemo kakkoii yo.Yeah, it's very cool.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 不死鳥, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 不死鳥, CC BY-SA 4.0.
