影分身
The English phrase "shadow clone" is translated into Japanese as 影分身.
The term refers to a shadow clone.
What does it mean word for word?
The term is composed of 影 (kage) meaning 'shadow', and 分身 (bunshin) meaning 'part of one's body' or 'alter ego/clone'.
Did you know?
- While 影分身 is famous globally due to anime, the concept of 分身 is rooted in traditional Japanese folklore and Buddhist thought regarding the soul's ability to manifest in multiple forms.
- The kanji 分 in 分身 means 'to divide' and is the same character used in the Japanese word for 'minute', referring to the division of an hour.
- The term 影分身 became globally recognized due to its frequent appearance in the popular manga and anime 'Naruto'.
Examples in context
- 影分身の術を使いたい。Kagebunshin no jutsu o tsukaitai.I want to use the shadow clone technique.
- 大量の影分身を作りました。Tairyou no kagebunshin o tsukurimashita.I created a large number of shadow clones.
- 影分身はとても便利ですね。Kagebunshin wa totemo benri desu ne.Shadow clones are very convenient, aren't they?
Example conversation
Kenta and Yui are discussing a manga they both read.
- 結衣 Yuiこの技の影分身はすごいね。kono waza no kagebunshin wa sugoi ne.The shadow clone of this technique is amazing.
- 健太 Kenta本当だね。とても便利そうだよ。hontō da ne. totemo benri sō da yo.It really is. It looks very useful.
- 結衣 Yuiあなたなら影分身を使いたい？anata nara kagebunshin o tsukaitai?Would you want to use a shadow clone if you could?
- 健太 Kentaうん、宿題を全部任せたいな。un, shukudai o zenbu makasetai na.Yeah, I'd want to leave all my homework to it.
