Japanese word

アリ

Pronunciation

Romajiari

Meaning

  • nounant

Example

小さいアリを見つけました。chii sa i a ri o mi tsu ke ma shi ta

I found a small ant.

Illustration for アリ (ant)

More examples

砂糖の近くにアリが集まっています。sa tō no chika ku ni a ri ga atsu ma tte i ma su

Ants are gathering near the sugar.

Core concept

Names the familiar insect that lives in an organized nest and shares tasks such as finding food and caring for young.

Common phrases

  • アリの巣a ri no su

    ant nest

  • アリを飼うa ri o ka u

    keep ants

  • アリにえさをやるa ri ni e sa o ya ru

    feed ants

Definition in Japanese

細い体と六本の脚を持ち、巣に集団で暮らす昆虫。hoso i karada to roku pon no ashi o mo chi su ni shū dan de ku ra su kon chū

Word origin

The Japanese noun アリ (ari) has been used since Old Japanese, while no certain earlier source for the word is known.

Usage tips

  • The English word ant appears in Ant-Man, so the insect named アリ (ari) has a familiar connection to a well-known English-language superhero title.

Word lists with this word