大鎌
ōgama[o̞ːɡa̠ma̠]
The English word 'scythe' is translated into Japanese as 大鎌 (ōgama).
大鎌 is a noun used to describe a farm tool.
Meaning: farm tool (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of 大 (large) and 鎌 (sickle/scythe).
Which one should you use?
While 鎌 (kama) is a broad term for any tool with a curved blade attached to a handle, such as a standard sickle, 大鎌 specifically refers to the larger scythe-style tool.
How does it change in a sentence?
To indicate that the scythe is the tool used to perform an action, you add the particle で after the word, forming 大鎌で (with a scythe).
How do you pronounce it?
ōgama
Did you know?
- In Japanese folklore, the 鎌 is not the primary tool of the Grim Reaper. Death is more commonly represented by figures like 死神 who may not carry a scythe at all, as the tool is seen as a practical farm implement rather than a symbol of fate.
- When you say 大鎌, the second word undergoes a sound change called rendaku, where kama becomes gama. This transformation is a common way Japanese words blend together to sound more fluid.
- In modern Japanese pop culture, such as anime and manga, the 大鎌 is a popular weapon for 'reaper' characters. This is a direct stylistic import from Western imagery rather than a reflection of traditional Japanese weaponry.
Examples in context
- 斜視の人は斜めの大鎌で草を刈った。The cross-eyed person cut the grass with a scythe.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use 大鎌 to describe cutting grass.Tatoeba #6445681 by e4zh1nmcz, translation #6465870 by jasmaa
- 大鎌で草を刈る。ōgama de kusa o karu.To mow grass with a scythe.
- 古い大鎌が庭に落ちていた。furui ōgama ga niwa ni ochite ita.An old scythe was lying in the garden.
Example conversation
Two people are cleaning up a large, overgrown field.
- 健太 Kenta陽葵、この大鎌を使って草を刈ってくれる？Himari, kono ōgama o tsukatte kusa o katte kureru?Himari, could you use this scythe to mow the grass?
- 陽葵 Himariいいよ、健太君。でも、少し重いね。Ii yo, Kenta-kun. Demo, sukoshi omoi ne.Sure, Kenta. But it is a bit heavy.
- 健太 Kentaそうだね、大鎌は使い慣れるまで大変だよ。Sō da ne, ōgama wa tsukarenareru made taihen da yo.True, it is hard to use a scythe until you get used to it.
- 陽葵 Himari気を付けて作業するね。Ki o tsukete sagyō suru ne.I will work carefully.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “scythe” translations and entries 大鎌, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 大鎌, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
