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Japanese vocabulary · Beginner
How do you say "wolf" in Japanese?
オオカミ
ōkami
In Japanese, "wolf" is オオカミ (ōkami).
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Pronunciation
オオカミ is written using katakana. Romanised as ōkami, it sounds roughly like "oh-kah-mee" to an English ear.
Writing and usage
Ōkami is katakana for wolf. The prefix oo means 'large' and kami refers to a supernatural being, reflecting an older Japanese reverence for wolves.
Example sentence
動物園でオオカミを見ました。
Doubutsuen de Ōkami wo mimashita.
I saw a wolf at the zoo.
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How to remember オオカミ
Large (ōo) + mystical creature (kami) = the formidable wolf.
Related words
Browse all Japanese words in the glossary.
Questions about オオカミ
How do you pronounce オオカミ?
オオカミ is romanised as ōkami. Say it roughly like "oh-kah-mee" in English. Each Japanese syllable has even weight, so keep the rhythm steady.
Is オオカミ formal or casual?
オオカミ is a neutral, everyday word that works in both casual and polite speech. The level of formality comes from the sentence structure around it, not from the word itself.
How is オオカミ written in Japanese?
オオカミ is written using katakana. Ōkami is katakana for wolf.
Where can I practice Japanese words for free?
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"Wolf" in other languages
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