白狼
hakurō
The English phrase 'white wolf' translates to Japanese as 白狼 (hakurō).
This phrase refers to a wolf characterized by having white fur.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 白狼 is composed of the kanji 白, meaning 'white' and 狼, meaning 'wolf'.
Which one should you use?
While 白狼 is a specific compound, you can also use the more common and descriptive phrase 白い狼 to describe a white wolf in everyday speech.
How do you pronounce it?
hakurō
Did you know?
- In Japanese mythology, a white wolf is often seen as a divine messenger or a protector rather than a simple animal. Such creatures are frequently associated with the deity O-kami, where the word for 'wolf' and 'great god' are homophones.
- The kanji 狼 is composed of the radical for 'dog' and a phonetic element. This reflects how early Japanese speakers categorized the wolf as a variant or cousin of the domestic dog.
- The Japanese wolf ニホンオオカミ is extinct, but it is still revered as a messenger of the mountain gods in Shinto tradition. This spiritual connection makes the imagery of a 白狼 particularly potent in Japanese folklore and art.
Examples in context
- 形容するなら、白狼は草原に映える。If I were to describe it, the white wolf stands out in the grasslands.
- 子供の頃、白狼の伝説に夢中になった。When I was a child, I became obsessed with the legend of the white wolf.
- 白い狼が満月の下で吠えていた。A white wolf was howling under the full moon.
- 昔話によると、白い狼は人々を守る存在だと言われている。According to folklore, the white wolf is said to be a protective presence for people.
Example conversation
Yui and Kenta are looking at a book of animals.
- 結衣 Yui見て、この白狼はかっこいいね。Mite, kono hakurō wa kakkoii ne.Look, this white wolf is cool.
- 健太 Kenta本当だ。毛の色が綺麗だね。Hontō da. Ke no iro ga kirei da ne.You're right. The color of its fur is beautiful.
- 結衣 Yui白狼はどこに住んでいるの？Hakurō wa doko ni sunde iru no?Where do white wolves live?
- 健太 Kentaたぶん寒いところだと思うよ。Tabun samui tokoro da to omou yo.I think probably in cold places.
