noun
kirin
kēʹrǐnʹ
Kirin (noun) means a mythical hooved chimerical creature from East Asian folklore, similar to the qilin; the term is typically used in Japanese contexts. Example: “The temple gate was flanked by carved stone kirin.”
noun
1
A mythical hooved chimerical creature from East Asian folklore, similar to the qilin; the term is typically used in Japanese contexts.
"The temple gate was flanked by carved stone kirin."
How to use kirin
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA legendary, dragon-like hoofed creature from Chinese and Japanese mythology, often seen as a good omen.
Easily confused with
qilin
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Word forms
- Plural
- kirins
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The temple gate was flanked by carved stone _____.
Etymology
Borrowed from Japanese 麒麟 (kirin), ultimately from Middle Chinese; a doublet of qilin, the Chinese term for the same legendary beast.
Rhymes for kirin
See all rhymes for kirin →Frequently asked questions
What does “kirin” mean?
The word “kirin” means a mythical hooved chimerical creature from East Asian folklore, similar to the qilin; the term is typically used in Japanese contexts. In plain terms, a legendary, dragon-like hoofed creature from Chinese and Japanese mythology, often seen as a good omen.
How do you pronounce “kirin”?
“Kirin” is pronounced kēʹrǐnʹ.
How do you use “kirin” in a sentence?
Here is “kirin” used in a sentence: “The temple gate was flanked by carved stone kirin.”
What part of speech is “kirin”?
“Kirin” is a noun.
Where does the word “kirin” come from?
The word “kirin” comes from Middle Chinese. Borrowed from Japanese 麒麟 (kirin), ultimately from Middle Chinese; a doublet of qilin, the Chinese term for the same legendary beast.
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