Meaning
The kanji 尾 (お, ビ) primarily means "tail." While it can refer to the anatomical tail of an animal, such as a dog or a bird, its meaning extends beyond the literal. It also signifies the "end" or "rear part" of something, like the tip of a string or the rear of a procession. Furthermore, it can denote the "foot" of a mountain or a "trail" left behind by a comet. Essentially, it suggests the concluding or trailing extremity of a larger entity, often implying a point of termination or a part that follows.
Etymologically, 尾 is a 形声文字 (keisei moji), a phono-semantic compound. It combines two components: the radical 尸 (shikabane), which represents a "corpse" or "body" (and often appears in radicals to signify a body part or a reclining person), and the component 毛 (ke), meaning "hair" or "fur." Visually, this combination of a body part radical with the element for hair clearly depicts the hairy appendage at an animal's rear. This visual connection makes its core meaning of "tail" quite intuitive to grasp.
The kanji 尾 has 7 strokes and is classified as a Jōyō Kanji, meaning it is taught in secondary school. Its frequent use in various compound words across different contexts shows its importance for describing the terminal aspects of both animate and inanimate objects in the Japanese language.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The On'yomi reading of 尾, ビ, is typically used in compound words that have their origins in Chinese. These compounds often carry a more formal, technical, or abstract nuance compared to those using the Kun'yomi. You'll frequently encounter ビ in terms related to anatomy, aviation, or when discussing the beginning and end of processes.
尾行 (bikō) — shadowing; tailing (e.g., a detective tailing a suspect)
尾翼 (biyoku) — tail fin; empennage (specifically the rear stabilizing surfaces of an aircraft or missile)
首尾 (shubi) — beginning and end; consistency; from start to finish (e.g., 首尾一貫 - consistent from beginning to end)
語尾 (gobi) — the ending of a word (crucial in Japanese grammar for verb conjugations and polite forms)
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
The Kun'yomi reading of 尾, お, is the native Japanese pronunciation. It is used when 尾 appears as a standalone word or in compounds where it directly modifies or is modified by other native Japanese words. This reading often feels more natural and is common in everyday expressions, particularly when referring to animal tails or geographical features.
尾 (o) — tail; ridge; end (often seen in phrases like 鳥の尾 - bird's tail, or referring to a mountain ridge)
尻尾 (shippo) — (animal's) tail. This is the most common word for an animal's tail in spoken Japanese, often written with the kanji 尻 for "buttocks" and 尾 for "tail."
尾根 (one) — mountain ridge; crest (the 'tail' or upper part of a mountain range).
尾瀬 (Oze) — Oze (a famous national park in Japan, renowned for its beautiful marshes and highlands, a place name).
Common Words & Compounds
The kanji 尾 appears in a wide array of words and compounds, reflecting its diverse meanings, from literal animal tails to abstract endings and geographical features. To master its usage, it's important to understand these compounds in context.
Animal Anatomy & Related Terms
尻尾 (shippo) — (animal's) tail. This is the most common word for an animal's tail in everyday Japanese.
尾ひれ (ohire) — fin (especially the caudal fin of a fish). Often used to describe the tail-like fins of aquatic creatures.
尾長鳥 (onagadori) — long-tailed fowl. A specific type of Japanese chicken known for its exceptionally long tail feathers.
尾を振る (o o furu) — to wag one's tail; to fawn. Commonly used when describing a dog's behavior, but can also be used figuratively to describe someone trying to curry favor (e.g., to get a promotion).
Geographical Features & Nature
尾根 (one) — mountain ridge; crest. Refers to the 'tail' or trailing edge of a mountain.
山の尾 (yama no o) — mountain ridge/foot. A more general term for a mountain ridge or its lower slopes.
岬の尾 (misaki no o) — tip of a cape. The 'tail' or furthest point of a promontory extending into the sea.
尾瀬 (Oze) — Oze. A famous national park in Japan, known for its beautiful wetlands and mountains, often serving as a significant geographical landmark.
Endings, Extremities & Sequences
語尾 (gobi) — the ending of a word. Essential for understanding Japanese grammar, such as verb conjugations or polite forms.
末尾 (matsubi) — the end; the last part (of a document, list, etc.). Often used in formal or written contexts to indicate the final section.
後尾 (kōbi) — the rear (of a line, procession, or sequence). Refers to the very end of a line or procession, like the back of a queue or a parade.
首尾 (shubi) — beginning and end; consistency. Frequently seen in phrases like 首尾一貫 (shubi ikkan - consistent from beginning to end), emphasizing coherence.
Actions & Abstract Concepts
尾行 (bikō) — shadowing; tailing. The act of secretly following someone, literally 'tail-walking'.
尾を引く (o o hiku) — to leave a lingering trace; to drag a tail. Used figuratively to describe a lingering effect or consequence, such as a problem or a rumor that won't die down.
Example Sentences
犬が嬉しそうに尻尾を振っている。
Inu ga ureshisō ni shippo o futte iru.
The dog is happily wagging its tail.
彗星の長い尾が夜空に輝いていた。
Suisei no nagai o ga yozora ni kagayaite ita.
The comet's long tail shone in the night sky.
飛行機の尾翼に会社のロゴが描かれている。
Hikōki no biyoku ni kaisha no rogo ga egakarete iru.
The company logo is painted on the airplane's tail fin.
探偵は容疑者の尾行を続けた。
Tantei wa yōgisha no bikō o tsuzuketa.
The detective continued to shadow the suspect.
あの山の尾根を歩くのは、とても気持ちがいい。
Ano yama no one o aruku no wa, totemo kimochi ga ii.
Walking along that mountain ridge feels really good.
この事件は、まだ尾を引いている。
Kono jiken wa, mada ato o hiite iru.
This incident is still leaving lingering effects.
日本語の動詞の語尾は、文法によって変化します。
Nihongo no dōshi no gobi wa, bunpō ni yotte henka shimasu.
The endings of Japanese verbs change according to grammar.
書類の末尾に署名を記入してください。
Shorui no matsubi ni shomei o kinyū shite kudasai.
Please write your signature at the end of the document.
彼のスピーチは首尾一貫していて、とても分かりやすかった。
Kare no supīchi wa shubi ikkan shite ite, totemo wakariyasukatta.
His speech was consistent from beginning to end and very easy to understand.
Memory Tip
To remember the kanji 尾, break it down into its constituent parts: 尸 (shikabane), which represents a "body" or "corpse" and often appears in radicals relating to the body or a reclining person, and 毛 (ke), meaning "hair" or "fur." You can imagine a furry animal's body (尸) with its distinct, hairy tail (毛) flowing out from its rear. Picture a dog with a bushy, fluffy tail, full of hair, extending from its body. This visual link makes the kanji 尾 intuitive to remember. Alternatively, imagine a person (represented by the body radical) wearing a long, flowing, hairy wig. This wig acts like a decorative tail, marking the very end or trailing part of them.