狐（きつね、kitsune）
- fox

The Japanese word 狐, pronounced きつね (kitsune), means "fox" in English. It refers to the animal, a canid mammal known for its cunning and intelligence. Foxes are prominent figures in Japanese folklore, often depicted with magical abilities. They are known for their association with Inari, the god of fertility, rice, and prosperity.

⚫︎ 狐が森を駆け抜けていった。 Translation: The fox ran through the forest. ⚫︎ 昔話には、よく狐が登場する。 Translation: Foxes often appear in folk tales. ⚫︎ 彼はとても賢いから、狐みたいだ。 Translation: He's so clever; he's like a fox.

You can use 狐 in conversations when referring to the animal itself or when using it metaphorically to describe someone who is clever or cunning. It is a common word, understood by most Japanese speakers. You can also use it in discussions about folklore and Japanese culture.

The word is primarily written using the kanji 狐. The hiragana reading is きつね. It is not typically written in katakana. There are no significant variations in okurigana.

There are no direct synonyms for 狐 in the sense of the animal itself. However, you could use descriptive words to describe characteristics associated with foxes.

There aren't specific antonyms, but you could use words to contrast 狐's attributes. For instance, you could use "愚か" (oroka - foolish) to contrast 狐's reputation for cleverness.

その少年は、まるで《狐のようにずる賢かった。》 ・Translation: That boy was as cunning as a fox. ・Explanation: This sentence uses 狐 metaphorically to describe a boy's sly behavior.

稲荷神社には、《狐の像がたくさんある。》 ・Translation: There are many statues of foxes at Inari shrines. ・Explanation: This sentence refers to the association of foxes with Inari shrines, common in Japanese culture.

The etymology of 狐 is not completely clear, but it is believed that the word's origin is quite old. The sound "kitsune" itself predates written records. It’s theorized to have derived from the animal’s cry or other natural associations.