Meaning and Usage
The word 尾 (お) primarily means "tail" in the literal sense, such as the tail of an animal. It can also refer to the "ridge" or "end part" of a mountain or object.
Common Contexts
You will often see 尾 used when talking about animals' tails, like 犬の尾 (dog's tail). It also appears in geographical contexts, such as 山の尾根 (mountain ridge), where 尾 refers to the ridge or end part of a mountain.
Collocations and Patterns
- 尾をふる: to wag the tail (used for animals, especially dogs)
- 尾をつける: to follow or tail someone (used in contexts of surveillance or being followed)
- 尾根 (おね): mountain ridge, a common compound word involving 尾
Register and Nuance
尾 is a neutral noun and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. When used metaphorically, such as 尾をつける (to follow), it implies a sense of surveillance or being watched.
Common Learner Mistake
A common confusion is mixing 尾 (tail) with 尾根 (ridge). 尾 alone means tail or end, but 尾根 specifically means a mountain ridge. Also, 尾 is not used for the tail of a fish (which is 尾びれ). Remember to use 尾 for general tails and ridges.