Japanese word

狼

Pronunciation

Romajiōkami

Meaning

  • nounwolf

Example

動物園で狼を見ました。dō butsu en de ōkami o mi ma shi ta

I saw a wolf at the zoo.

Illustration for 狼 (wolf)

More examples

図鑑で狼の写真を見ました。zu kan de ōkami no sha shin o mi ma shi ta

I saw a picture of a wolf in an encyclopedia.

研究者は山で暮らす狼を観察しています。ken kyū sha wa yama de ku ra su ōkami o kan satsu shi te i ma su

The researchers are observing wolves that live in the mountains.

Core concept

Centers on a wild canine that lives and hunts in social groups, while also suggesting a fierce or solitary character in figurative use.

Common phrases

  • 狼の遠吠えōkami no tō bo e

    a wolf's howl

  • 狼の群れōkami no mu re

    a pack of wolves

Definition in Japanese

野生に生息する大型の犬科の哺乳類。ya sei ni sei soku su ru ō gata no inu ka no ho nyū rui

Word origin

The Japanese noun 狼 (ōkami, "wolf") is a native Japanese reading written with the Chinese-derived kanji 狼 (rō, "wolf"); the word's deeper origin is uncertain.

Usage tips

  • The wolf is the antagonist in the traditional English-language tale The Three Little Pigs, giving the animal name a familiar storybook association.

Word lists with this word