Japanese word

たぬき

Pronunciation

Romajitanuki

Meaning

  • nounraccoon dog

Example

夜にたぬきが道を歩いていました。yoru ni ta nu ki ga michi o aru i te i ma shi ta

A raccoon dog was walking along the road at night.

Illustration for たぬき (raccoon dog)

More examples

昔話にはたぬきがよく登場します。mukashi banashi ni wa ta nu ki ga yo ku tō jō shi ma su

Raccoon dogs often appear in folktales.

Core concept

It refers to a nocturnal canid whose raccoon-like appearance gives it a distinctive place in Japanese culture.

Common phrases

  • たぬき寝入りをするta nu ki ne i ri o su ru

    pretend to be asleep

  • たぬきそばta nu ki so ba

    soba with tempura flakes

Similar words

むじなmujina: A regional or traditional name for a raccoon dog, with an additional meaning of badger in some areas.

Definition in Japanese

森林や人里の近くにすみ、夜に活動する、アライグマに似たイヌ科の動物。shin rin ya hito zato no chika ku ni su mi yoru ni katsu dō su ru a ra i gu ma ni ni ta i nu ka no dō butsu

Word origin

たぬき (tanuki) is an old native Japanese name for the animal, but its exact origin is uncertain; 狸 (tanuki, "raccoon dog") is the character traditionally used to write it.

Usage tips

  • The name raccoon dog can mislead English speakers, because the animal belongs to the dog family rather than the raccoon family.

Word lists with this word