Japanese Symbol for
忍者ninja
ninja · shinobi · shadow warrior
Readings
Meaning
Ninja, shinobi, covert agent. 忍者 combines 忍 (to endure, to conceal oneself, stealth) with 者 (person). The alternate reading 忍び (shinobi) means "shadow" or "stealth" — historically the more common term.
Example words
忍び
shinobi
ninja, stealth, shadow
忍術
ninjutsu
ninja techniques, the art of stealth
忍耐
nintai
patience, endurance, perseverance
手裏剣
shuriken
throwing star
くノ一
kunoichi
female ninja
忍び込む
shinobi-komu
to sneak in, to infiltrate
忍 (nin/shinobi) literally means "to endure" or "to conceal" — ninja were masters of patience and concealment. Historically called 忍び (shinobi), they served as covert agents during Japan's feudal period. Iga (伊賀) and Kōga (甲賀) were the two most famous ninja clans. The word 忍耐 (nintai — patience, endurance) uses the same kanji as 忍者.
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