Japanese word

蛇

Pronunciation

Romajihebi

Meaning

  • nounsnake

Example

庭に蛇がいました。niwa ni hebi ga i ma shi ta

There was a snake in the garden.

Illustration for 蛇 (snake)

More examples

庭に蛇がいます。niwa ni hebi ga i ma su

There is a snake in the yard.

庭の隅で蛇が日なたぼっこをしていました。niwa no sumi de hebi ga hi na ta bo kko o shi te i ma shi ta

A snake was basking in the sun in the corner of the garden.

Core concept

A long, limbless reptile moves by bending its body and pressing against the ground or other surfaces.

Common phrases

  • 蛇の毒hebi no doku

    snake venom

  • 蛇にかまれるhebi ni ka ma re ru

    be bitten by a snake

  • 蛇を見かけるhebi o mi ka ke ru

    spot a snake

Definition in Japanese

細長い体をもち、四肢がなく、地面をはって進む爬虫類。hoso naga i karada o mo chi shi shi ga na ku ji men o ha tte susu mu ha chū rui

Word origin

蛇 (hebi, "snake") is a native Japanese word, not a compound, and its deeper etymology is uncertain.

Usage tips

  • In the Japanese zodiac, the snake is the sixth animal in the twelve-year cycle, giving 蛇 (hebi, "snake") a familiar cultural setting.

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