What does “ryuu” mean in Japanese?
Native speakers say “ryuu” to mean ‘dragon’ in Japanese. Perhaps, some Japanese learners know this word well as it is quite often used in Japanese movies, video games, novels, manga, anime, and the like. In this blog post, however, I will explain its definition and meaning with its kanji expressions. And also, I will explain how to use it through example sentences. My explanations would help Japanese learners to understand “ryuu” more clearly. Then, let’s get started!
Contents
Definition and meaning of “ryuu”
Let me start with the definition and meaning of “ryuu”.
- ryuu – 竜/龍 (りゅう) : a noun meaning ‘dragon’ in Japanese. This can also work as plural. Learn more about Japanese plural.
Native speakers use this noun to refer to an imaginary animal which has a long body and a long tail and is able to fly in the sky.
“Ryuu” has two different kanji expressions. The first one is the simplified form of the second. The first one is, therefore, more often used.
The definition and meaning are simple and clear, I think. Then, let me explain how to use it through the example sentences below.
Example #1: how to say “dragon” in Japanese
kono ryuu wa mada totemo chiisai – この竜はまだとても小さい (このりゅうはまだとてもちいさい)
This dragon is still very small.
Below are the new words used in the example sentence.
- kono – この : a determiner used before a noun referring to a thing close to the speaker. In the example, this is used before “ryuu” to say “this dragon” in Japanese.
- wa – は : a binding particle working as a case marker or topic marker. In the example, this works after “kono ryuu” to make the subject in the sentence.
- mada – まだ : an adverb meaning ‘still’ or such in Japanese.
- totemo – とても : an adverb of degree meaning ‘very’, ‘much’, ‘so’, or such in Japanese. In the example, this works before “chiisai” to emphasize its meaning.
- chiisai – 小さい (ちいさい) : an i-adjective meaning ‘small’ in Japanese.
This is a typical usage of “ryuu”. In this example, it works together with the determiner, “kono”, to say “this dragon” in Japanese.
Example #2: another usage of “ryuu”
boku wa yume de ryuu wo mi ta – 僕は夢で竜を見た (ぼくはゆめでりゅうをみた)
I saw a dragon in my dream.
Below are the new words used in the example sentence.
- boku – 僕 (ぼく) : a pronoun meaning ‘I’ in Japanese. This is used mainly by boys and young males.
- yume – 夢 (ゆめ) : a noun meaning ‘dream’ in Japanese. This can also work as plural.
- de – で : a case particle used to say where someone does something. In the example, this is used after “yume” to say where the speaker saw the dragon.
- wo – を : a case particle used to make the object word in a sentence. In the example, this is used after “ryuu” to make the object in the sentence.
- mi – 見 (み) : one conjugation of the verb, “miru”, which means ‘to see’, ‘to watch’, ‘to look’, or such in Japanese. In the example, it has been conjugated for the better connection with its following word.
- ta – た : an auxiliary verb used after a verb, adjective, or auxiliary verb to make its past tense form. Probably, this is well known as a part of Japanese ta form. In the example, this is used after “mi” to make its past tense form, “mi ta”.
This is another typical usage of “ryuu”. When we want to say “dragon” in Japanese, this noun is a very good option.
Summary
In this blog post, I’ve explained the definition and meaning of “ryuu” with its kanji expressions. And also, I’ve explained how to use it through the example sentences. Let me summarize them as follows.
- ryuu – 竜/龍 (りゅう) : a noun meaning ‘dragon’ in Japanese. This can also work as plural. Native speakers use this noun to refer to an imaginary animal which has a long body and a long tail and is able to fly in the sky. This has two different kanji expressions. The first one is the simplified form of the second. The first one is, therefore, more often used.
Hope my explanations are understandable and helpful for Japanese learners.
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