How to Say "White Rabbit" in Japanese

白いウサギ

shiroi usagi

The English phrase "white rabbit" is translated into Japanese as 白いウサギ (shiroi usagi).

The phrase is used to describe a rabbit that has white fur.

What does it mean word for word?

The phrase consists of the adjective shiroi (white) and the noun usagi (rabbit).

The adjective shiroi must be in its dictionary form to modify the noun usagi directly.

shiroi usagi

In Japanese, usagi is part of the term usagi-girai, which describes someone who is overly cautious or avoids taking risks rather than someone who actually dislikes rabbits.
In Japanese folklore, the rabbit on the moon is not a white rabbit, but is often depicted as a rabbit making 'mochi' (rice cakes).
The color shiroi carries a dual symbolic meaning of purity and mourning, allowing a shiroi usagi to appear in both celebratory and somber settings.

「どうかしたの？」と小さな白いウサギが聞きました。
"What's the matter?" asked the little white rabbit.
This sentence is useful for seeing how to use the phrase when a little white rabbit is the subject of a question.
Tatoeba #4916 by bunbuku, translation #1507 by imjcooper
「さぁ、私のようにホップ、スキップ、ジャンプ」小さい白いウサギが言いました。
"Let's play hopscotch," said the little white rabbit.
This sentence shows how the phrase is used when a little white rabbit is speaking.
Tatoeba #236602 by e4zh1nmcz, translation #73891 by AlanF_US
ねえ、見て！あの可愛い白うさぎは何て言うの？
Hey, look! What is that cute white rabbit called?
どれ？ああ、あれは「しろいうさぎ」と言いますよ。
Which one? Ah, that is called "shiroi usagi".
ああ、白兎のコスプレが似合ってるね。
Oh, she looks great in the white rabbit cosplay.
庭に白いウサギがいます。
Niwa ni shiroi usagi ga imasu.
There is a white rabbit in the garden.
1 more sentence on Tatoeba

The two children are looking at a picture book together.

陽葵 Himari

陽太、見て！白いウサギがいるよ。
Youta, mite! Shiroi usagi ga iru yo.
Youta, look! There is a white rabbit.
陽太 Yota

本当だ！とてもかわいいね。
Hontou da! Totemo kawaii ne.
You're right! It's very cute.
陽葵 Himari

白いウサギはふわふわしてるね。
Shiroi usagi wa fuwafuwa shiteru ne.
The white rabbit looks fluffy, doesn't it?
陽太 Yota

うん、触ってみたいなぁ。
Un, sawatte mitai naa.
Yeah, I want to touch it.

Sources

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