Word Meaning

えびす ebisu

夷 is read as えびす (ebisu) and means brutish, unsophisticated warrior (esp. used by Kyoto samurai to refer to samurai from eastern Japan).

Meaning

English

  1. brutish, unsophisticated warrior (esp. used by Kyoto samurai to refer to samurai from eastern Japan)
  2. peoples formerly of northern Japan with distinct language and culture (i.e. the Ainu)
  3. provincial (i.e. a person who lives far from the city)
  4. foreigner
  5. barbarian

Reading

Kana

えびす

Romaji

ebisu

Writing Variants

  • えびす ebisu

Stroke Sequence

1 Characters • 6 Total Strokes

Study Signals and Categories

Jōyō Jinmeiyō Kanken 準1級 Rank 25005 Priority D

Related Vocabulary

Max. 12

蝦夷

えぞ

Yezo

攘夷

じょうい

expulsion of foreigners

Example Sentences

9

むかしのぶんではえびすがいみんぞくをさすことがあった。

In old texts, this character sometimes referred to foreign peoples.

えびすというよびかたにはふるいじだいのみかたがあらわれている。

This term reflects an old historical viewpoint.

れきししょではひがしのえびすについてしるされている。

Historical records mention eastern groups referred to by this term.

えびすのじはいまではおもにれきしのぶんみゃくでみる。

Today, this character is seen mainly in historical contexts.

じしょではえびすにえみしのいみものっている。

The dictionary also lists this character as an old term for an ethnic group.

えびすはばあいによってはぶべつてきにつかわれた。

In some cases, this term was used in a derogatory way.

えびすのごをよむとじだいはいけいにちゅういがひつようだ。

When reading this term, it is important to pay attention to its historical context.

ふるいしりょうではえびすがほっぽうのたみをさすこともある。

In old sources, this character can also refer to northern peoples.

えびすのいみにはあいぬをふくむせつめいもある。

Some explanations also include the Ainu within its range of meaning.