槍
yari[ja̠ɾʲi]
The Japanese word for spear is 槍 (yari).
槍 refers to a long stick with a sharp tip.
Meaning: long stick with a sharp tip (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
yari
Did you know?
- Japanese culture has a specific term 槍衾 (yaribusa), which literally means 'spear blanket' and describes a battlefield so crowded with spears that they look like a layer of fabric.
- A specific type of spear called the 大槍 (ō-yari) could reach lengths of over 6 meters, making it one of the longest handheld weapons used in feudal warfare.
- The word 槍 is etymologically linked to the verb 遣る (yaru), which means 'to execute' or 'to kill'.
Examples in context
- 戦国時代の武将たちは槍で戦った。The warlords of the Sengoku period fought with spears.
- 槍を投げるTo throw a spear
- 彼は槍を持っています。Kare wa yari o motte imasu.He is holding a spear.
- 博物館に古い槍がありました。Hakubutsukan ni furui yari ga arimashita.There was an old spear in the museum.
- その槍はとても長いです。Sono yari wa totemo nagai desu.That spear is very long.
Example conversation
Ren and Misaki are visiting a historical museum.
- 蓮 Renこの槍はかっこいいですね。Kono yari wa kakkoii desu ne.This spear is cool, isn't it?
- 美咲 Misaki本当ですね。とても鋭いです。Hontou desu ne. Totemo surudoi desu.It really is. It is very sharp.
- 蓮 Ren美咲さんは槍が好きですか？Misaki-san wa yari ga suki desu ka?Misaki, do you like spears?
- 美咲 Misakiはい、歴史的な武器に興味があります。Hai, rekishiteki na buki ni kyoumi ga arimasu.Yes, I am interested in historical weapons.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “spear” translations and entries 槍, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 槍, CC BY-SA 4.0.
