蛇
hebi[he̞bʲi]
The Japanese word for "serpent" is 蛇, which is pronounced hebi.
蛇 refers to a snake.
Meaning: snake (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
hebi
Did you know?
- Some linguists suggest that 蛇 might be a shortened version of the phrase 朽ち縄 (kuchinawa), which literally translates to 'rotten rope' because of the creature's appearance.
- In Japanese folklore and spirituality, the snake is often associated with the deity Benzaiten, the goddess of music, eloquence and flowing water.
- The pronunciation of 蛇 shifted over centuries from pemi to ɸemi, then ɸebi, and finally to the modern hebi.
Examples in context
- 庭に大きな蛇がいました。Niwa ni ookina hebi ga imashita.There was a big snake in the garden.
- あの蛇はとても速いです。Ano hebi wa totemo hayai desu.That snake is very fast.
- 蛇の形をしたおもちゃがあります。Hebi no katachi o shita omocha ga arimasu.There is a toy in the shape of a snake.
Example conversation
Hiroto and Yui are walking in the countryside.
- 大翔 Hirotoあ、見て！蛇がいるよ。A, mite! Hebi ga iru yo.Oh, look! There is a snake.
- 結衣 Yuiえっ！どこにいるの？E! Doko ni iru no?What! Where is it?
- 大翔 Hirotoあそこの草の中にいるよ。Asoko no kusa no naka ni iru yo.It is in the grass over there.
- 結衣 Yui怖いから、早く離れよう。Kowai kara, hayaku hanareyou.I'm scared, so let's get away quickly.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “serpent” translations and entries 蛇, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 蛇, CC BY-SA 4.0.
