🇯🇵 How to say

“dragon” in Japanese

龍りゅう
Illustration of "dragon" in a Japanese cultural setting
A majestic Japanese dragon with long, serpentine body and shimmering scales coils through storm clouds above a mountain temple, its fierce eyes glowing.

Usage note

In Japan, dragons (龍) are often seen as wise, powerful water deities and symbols of strength and good fortune, unlike the fearsome dragons of Western stories.

Examples

  • おとぎ話に龍が出てきます。

    A dragon appears in the fairy tale.

  • あの山に龍が住んでいるという伝説があります。

    There is a legend that a dragon lives in that mountain.

  • お正月に龍の舞を見ました。

    I saw a dragon dance at New Year's.

Quick check

What does "龍" mean?

  • A. dragon
  • B. sheep
  • C. phoenix
  • D. hair

First quiz is free.

Want more?

SimpleLits Pro unlocks alternate example sentences, audio pronunciation, the full quiz pack, and save-to-deck spaced repetition.

See Pro plans

Also see