尻尾
shippo[ɕip̚po̞]
The Japanese word for 'tail' is 尻尾 (shippo). Wiktionary also lists 尾 (o) and 尾っぽ (oppo).
Meaning: appendage of an animal (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 尻尾 | shippo | [ɕip̚po̞] (narrow) [ɕiɾʲio̞] (narrow) |
| 尾 | o | [o̞] (narrow) |
| 尾っぽ | oppo |
The words in this pack refer to the appendage of an animal. You may also encounter the related verb 尾行する, which means 'to tail' (to follow someone).
What does it mean word for word?
The word 尻尾 is composed of the kanji for 'buttocks/rear' (尻) and 'tail' (尾).
Which one should you use?
尻尾 is the most common, everyday word for an animal's tail. In contrast, 尾 is a more formal or technical term often used in scientific, biological or literary contexts. 尾っぽ is a more colloquial or cute-sounding version of the word, often used when speaking about pets or in casual conversation.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
shippo
Did you know?
- In Japanese, the word 尻尾 is used in the idiom 尻尾を出す, which literally means 'to show one's tail' but actually means to accidentally reveal a secret or a crime.
- In Japanese folklore, the 'nekomata' is a legendary cat that gains supernatural powers once its 'tail' splits into two.
- The kanji 尾 was used in the 8th-century 'Kojiki' not only for animal tails but also to describe the 'foot' or base of a mountain.
Examples in context
- 牛の尻尾は長い。A cow has a long tail.This sentence is useful for describing the length of a cow's tail using 尻尾.Tatoeba #9028616 by small_snow, translation #1739389 by Amastan
- ゾウの尻尾は短い。The elephant has a short tail.This sentence is useful for describing the length of an elephant's tail using 尻尾.Tatoeba #11527073 by small_snow, translation #6704029 by AlanF_US
- 犬が尻尾を振っている。The dog is wagging its tail.This sentence is useful for describing a dog wagging its tail using 尻尾.Tatoeba #8764360 by small_snow, translation #7046372 by CK
- あの猫のしっぽはフワフワしている。That cat's tail is fluffy.
- ウタジュンの尻尾は短いよ。Uta Jun's tail is short.
- 18 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A couple is watching a cat in a park.
- 陽葵 Himariあの猫、尻尾がふわふわしてるね。Ano neko, shippo ga fuwafuwa shiteru ne.That cat's tail is so fluffy.
- 蓮 Ren本当だ。すごく可愛いね。Honto da. Sugoku kawaii ne.You're right. It's very cute.
- 陽葵 Himari蓮君もそう思う？Ren-kun mo sou omou?Do you think so too, Ren?
- 蓮 Renうん、すごく可愛いと思うよ。Un, sugoku kawaii to omou yo.Yeah, I think it's very cute.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “tail” translations and entries 尻尾, 尾, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 尻尾, 尾, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
