水龍
suiryū
The English phrase "water dragon" is translated into Japanese as 水龍 (suiryū).
The term refers to a mythical dragon associated with water in East Asian folklore.
Which one should you use?
While 水龍 is the default form, 水竜 is a more formal way to say water dragon and the informal expression 水のドラゴン is also used.
How do you pronounce it?
suiryū
Did you know?
- Japanese culture often links the 水龍 to the concept of 'ryūmyaku' or dragon veins, which are invisible energy paths flowing through the earth's landscape like water.
- In Japanese folklore, the 水龍 is often viewed as a benevolent deity that controls the rainfall and protects the oceans, rather than a monster to be slain.
- The character 龍 for 'dragon' is considered a much more aesthetically powerful and 'heavy' kanji than the simpler version 竜, which is why it is preferred in classical literature.
Examples in context
- 「水竜を見たことがありますか？」Have you ever seen a water dragon?
- 「この川には水のドラゴンが住んでいるんだって！」They say there's a water dragon living in this river!
- 伝説に水龍が登場します。Densetsu ni suiryū ga tōjō shimasu.A water dragon appears in the legend.
- この絵には水龍が描かれています。Kono e ni wa suiryū ga kakarete imasu.A water dragon is depicted in this painting.
- 水龍は川の神だと聞いたことがあります。Suiryū wa kawa no kami da to kiita koto ga arimasu.I have heard that the water dragon is a river god.
Example conversation
Misaki and Yota are visiting a museum of folklore.
- 美咲 Misaki見て、陽太！この彫刻は水龍ね。Mite, Yōta! Kono chōkoku wa suiryū ne.Look, Yota! This sculpture is a water dragon.
- 陽太 Yota本当だ。すごくかっこいいな。Hontō da. Sugoku kakkoii na.You're right. It's really cool.
- 美咲 Misaki水龍は海を守っているらしいよ。Suiryū wa umi o mamotte iru rashii yo.I heard that water dragons protect the sea.
- 陽太 Yotaそれはすごい伝説だね。Sore wa sugoi densetsu da ne.That is an amazing legend.
