サーペンティン
sāpentin
The English word 'serpentine' can be translated into Japanese as サーペンティン (sāpentin).
サーペンティン is a term used to describe something that is curving in alternate directions, similar to the English adjective 'sinuous'.
Meaning: curving in alternate directions (adj)
Which one should you use?
While サーペンティン is the direct transliteration, you may also use the informal expression ヘビみたいな to describe something as serpentine.
How do you pronounce it?
sāpentin
Did you know?
- Japanese uses the word 蛇行 to describe a river that winds in a serpentine fashion, which literally translates to 'snake-walk'.
- Japanese has a specific word くねくね that describes the serpentine movement of a snake or a winding road. It is an onomatopoeia that mimics the twisting motion.
- In Japanese, the word へび can also refer to a 'snake-like' person who is cunning or treacherous, much like the English 'snake in the grass'.
Examples in context
- 川岸に曲がりくねった道があります。There is a serpentine road along the riverbank.
- その川の周りにはヘビみたいな形をした物がいくつかあります。There are several things around that river that have a serpentine shape.
Example conversation
Kenta and Misaki are looking at a map of a mountain road.
- 健太 Kentaこの道、かなりサーペンティンですね。Kono michi, kanari sāpentin desu ne.This road is quite serpentine, isn't it?
- 美咲 Misaki本当だね。運転が大変そう。Hontō da ne. Unten ga taihen sō.You're right. Driving looks like it will be tough.
- 健太 Kentaゆっくり走れば大丈夫だと思うよ。Yukkuri hashireba daijōbu da to omou yo.I think it'll be fine if we drive slowly.
- 美咲 Misakiそうだね。気をつけて行こう。Sō da ne. Ki o tsukete ikō.True. Let's go carefully.
