シャドウホーク
shadō hōku
The English phrase 'shadow hawk' is translated into Japanese as シャドウホーク (shadō hōku).
Japanese also has native words for these concepts: Kage means 'shadow' and Tobi means 'hawk' or 'falcon'.
How do you pronounce it?
shadō hōku
Did you know?
- The native word kage is also used in the term kage-guchi, which means 'talking behind someone's back'. It literally translates to 'shadow mouth'.
- In Japanese poetry and art, the 'hawk' is often paired with the 'pine tree' to symbolize strength and longevity. Using taka instead of tobi invokes this classical, high-status imagery.
- While シャドウホーク is a phonetic loan from English, the native word for hawk, tobi, specifically refers to the black kite, which is the most common raptor seen in Japanese cities.
Example conversation
Two siblings are deciding on a name for their new toy airplane.
- 陽葵 Himariこの飛行機に、シャドウホークって名付けよう。Kono hikōki ni, Shadouhōku tte nadzukeyō.Let's name this plane Shadow Hawk.
- 陽太 Yotaシャドウホーク、かっこいい名前だね！Shadouhōku, kakkoii namae da ne!Shadow Hawk, that's a cool name!
- 陽葵 Himari黒い色だから、ぴったりだと思うよ。Kuroi iro dakara, pittari da to omou yo.I think it's perfect because it's black.
- 陽太 Yotaうん、本当に似合っているね。Un, hontō ni niatte iru ne.Yeah, it really suits it.
