クモの巣
kumo no su
The English phrase "spider web" is translated into Japanese as クモの巣 (kumo no su).
The term refers to the network of silk threads spun by a spider to catch prey.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of クモ (spider), the possessive particle の (of) and 巣 (nest/web).
Which one should you use?
The word can be written as クモの巣 using katakana for the word spider, or as 蜘蛛の巣 using the kanji 蜘蛛 for spider.
How do you pronounce it?
kumo no su
Did you know?
- In Japanese folklore, certain types of クモの巣 are associated with the 'Jorōgumo', a mythical spider woman who can shapeshift into a beautiful human to lure prey.
- In many Japanese fortune-telling or superstition contexts, finding a spider web in your house is not always bad luck. Unlike some Western views, the timing of seeing the spider can change whether the spider or the web itself is considered an omen.
- There is a famous Japanese folk tale called 蜘蛛の糸 (Kumo no Ito) by Ryunosuke Akutagawa. It tells a story of a man attempting to climb a spider web to reach heaven, illustrating the fragility of hope.
Examples in context
- あの公園にはたくさんのクモの巣があるよ。There are many spider webs in that park.
- 壁にクモの巣があります。Kabe ni kumo no su ga arimasu.There is a spider web on the wall.
- クモの巣がとても大きいです。Kumo no su ga totemo ookii desu.The spider web is very large.
- 公園でクモの巣を見つけました。Kouen de kumo no su o mitsukemashita.I found a spider web in the park.
Example conversation
Ren and Yui are walking through a garden.
- 結衣 Yuiあ、あそこにクモの巣があるよ！A, asoko ni kumo no su ga aru yo!Oh, there is a spider web over there!
- 蓮 Ren本当だ、きれいなクモの巣だね。Hontou da, kirei na kumo no su dane.You're right, it's a beautiful spider web.
- 結衣 Yui蓮くん、顔に当たらないように気をつけて。Ren-kun, kao ni ataranai you ni ki o tsukete.Ren, be careful not to hit it on your face.
- 蓮 Renわかった、気を付けるよ。Wakatta, ki o tsukeru yo.Okay, I'll be careful.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry クモの巣, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
