赤竜
sekiryū
The English phrase "red dragon" is translated into Japanese as 赤竜 (sekiryū).
赤竜 refers to a mythical creature characterized as a dragon with red scales.
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of the kanji for "red" (赤) and "dragon" (竜).
How do you pronounce it?
sekiryū
Did you know?
- In modern Japanese media, a 赤竜 is often depicted as a destructive force of fire, reflecting Western influence, whereas traditional Japanese dragons are regarded as benevolent deities of rain and water.
- The reading sekiryū sounds fundamentally different from the native Japanese word for red, aka. Using the Chinese-derived reading transforms the phrase from a simple description into a formal title.
- The kanji 竜 used in 赤竜 is a simplified version of the traditional character 龍, which is still frequently used in calligraphy and formal names to denote power.
Examples in context
- 私は紅竜の伝説についての本を書いています。I am writing a book about the legend of the red dragon.
- この絵には赤い竜が描かれています。A red dragon is depicted in this painting.
- 昨日のゲームで赤竜が大活躍したよ！The red dragon played a significant role in yesterday's game!
- 物語には赤竜が登場します。Monogatari ni wa akaryuu ga toujou shimasu.A red dragon appears in the story.
- その赤竜はとても強そうです。Sono akaryuu wa totemo tsuyosou desu.That red dragon looks very strong.
- 赤竜の絵を描きました。Akaryuu no e o kakimashita.I drew a picture of a red dragon.
Example conversation
Two siblings are looking at a fantasy picture book together.
- 陽太 Yota見て、この赤竜、すごくかっこいいよ！Mite, kono akaryuu, sugoku kakkoii yo!Look, this red dragon is so cool!
- 陽葵 Himari本当だね。陽太兄ちゃん、これ好き？Hontou da ne. Youta niichan, kore suki?You're right. Do you like it, Youta?
- 陽太 Yotaうん、赤竜は最強のモンスターだと思う。Un, akaryuu wa saikyou no monsutaa da to omou.Yeah, I think the red dragon is the strongest monster.
- 陽葵 Himari陽葵も、この赤竜のデザインが好きだよ。Himari mo, kono akaryuu no dezain ga suki da yo.Himari likes the design of this red dragon, too.
