Japanese Conversation · Level 90
60 words
Japanese word
獅子
Pronunciation
Romajishishi
Meaning
- nounlion
Example
その旗には獅子が描かれています。so no hata ni wa shi shi ga ega ka re te i ma su
A lion is depicted on that flag.
More examples
祭りでは、大きな獅子が通りを練り歩きます。matsu ri de wa ō ki na shi shi ga tō ri o ne ri aru ki ma su
During the festival, a large lion figure parades through the street.
Core concept
It refers to the large wild cat recognized by the male's mane, both as a real animal and as a traditional symbol.
Common phrases
獅子のようにshi shi no yō ni
like a lion
獅子のたてがみshi shi no ta te ga mi
lion's mane
Similar words
ライオンraion: It is the usual word for the animal in everyday Japanese conversation.
Definition in Japanese
大型のネコ科の哺乳類で、雄にたてがみがあるもの。ō gata no ne ko ka no ho nyū rui de osu ni ta te ga mi ga a ru mo no
Word origin
As a Sino-Japanese compound, 獅子 (shishi) combines 獅 (shi, "lion") with 子 (shi, "child; noun-forming element"), following a compound pattern from Classical Chinese.
Usage tips
- In everyday Japanese, ライオン (raion) is more common for the animal, while 獅子 (shishi) often appears in established cultural terms such as 獅子舞 (shishimai).