How to Say "Weasel" in Japanese

イタチ

itachi

The English word "weasel" is translated into Japanese as イタチ (itachi).

イタチ is a noun used to refer to any mammal belonging to the family Mustelidae.

Meaning: any mammal of the family Mustelidae (noun)

How do you pronounce it?

itachi

The phrase イタチごっこ (itachi-gokko), meaning 'weasel game', is a common idiom used to describe a repetitive, futile struggle where one thing leads directly back to another.
In Japanese folklore, the イタチ is often seen as a mischievous shapeshifter capable of tricking humans, similar to the role of the fox or raccoon dog.
The word イタチ appears in the name of a famous character in the 'Naruto' series, where it is used as a symbolic reference to the animal's perceived nature.

イタチが庭を走っていった。
itachi ga niwa o hashitte itta.
A weasel ran through the garden.
イタチの毛並みはとても滑らかだ。
itachi no kenami wa totemo nameraka da.
The weasel's fur is very smooth.
図鑑でイタチの絵を見た。
zukan de itachi no e o mita.
I saw a picture of a weasel in an encyclopedia.

Two friends are looking at a nature book together.

陽葵 Himari

このイタチ、すごく可愛いね。
kono itachi, sugoku kawaii ne.
This weasel is so cute.
大翔 Hiroto

本当だ。目がキラキラしている。
hontou da. me ga kirakira shite iru.
You're right. Its eyes are sparkling.
陽葵 Himari

野生のイタチはもっと大きいかな？
yasei no itachi wa motto ookii kana?
I wonder if wild weasels are bigger?
大翔 Hiroto

たぶん、もっと素早いと思うよ。
tabun, motto subayai to omou yo.
Probably, I think they are faster.

Sources

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