Japanese word

きつね

Pronunciation

Romajikitsune

Meaning

  • nounfox

Example

森できつねを見ました。mori de ki tsu ne o mi ma shi ta

I saw a fox in the forest.

Illustration for きつね (fox)

More examples

きつねの絵をかきました。ki tsu ne no e o ka ki ma shi ta

I drew a picture of a fox.

冬になると、きつねの毛は厚くなります。fuyu ni na ru to ki tsu ne no ke wa atsu ku na ri ma su

A fox's fur becomes thicker in winter.

Core concept

Refers to a small wild animal of the dog family with a pointed muzzle and a bushy tail.

Common phrases

  • 野生のきつねya sei no ki tsu ne

    a wild fox

  • きつねの鳴き声ki tsu ne no na ki goe

    a fox's call

Definition in Japanese

イヌ科の哺乳類で、細長い口先とふさふさした尾を持つ野生動物。i nu ka no ho nyū rui de hoso naga i kuchi saki to fu sa fu sa shi ta o o mo tsu ya sei dō butsu

Word origin

The native Japanese noun きつね (kitsune, "fox") has no securely established division into meaningful parts, so its fixed form is best remembered as an old native name for the animal.

Usage tips

  • In English, kitsune is used as a loanword for the fox spirit of Japanese folklore, while きつね (kitsune) in ordinary Japanese means the animal itself.

Word lists with this word