Translation guide
The English word "tail" has several distinct meanings. This guide covers the most common uses for learners: the body part of an animal, the rear end of something, following someone, and a few other specific uses.
Referring to the tail of an animal, such as a dog, cat, or fish.
The most common and general word for an animal's tail. Used for mammals, reptiles, fish, etc.
The dog is wagging its tail.
The cat's tail is long.
A more formal or literary term for tail, often used in set phrases or scientific contexts.
Cut off the fish's tail.
Loanword from English, used in specific contexts like car styling (tail lamp) or cooking (oxtail). Not for general animal tails.
The tail lamp is out.
The back or last part of something, such as a line, a vehicle, or a procession.
Specifically means the very end of a line, queue, or procession. Commonly used in announcements.
The end of the line is this way.
General word for 'back' or 'behind'. Can be used for the rear of a vehicle or the back of a line, but less specific than 最後尾.
Technical term for the tail or rear section of something, like an aircraft or a statistical distribution.
To follow and observe someone secretly, like a detective.
The standard verb for tailing or shadowing someone, often used for police or private investigators.
The detective tailed the suspect.
A more casual verb meaning 'to follow' or 'to tail'. Often used in everyday conversation.
Literally 'attach to the back', meaning to follow someone, often secretly.
He tailed her.
The luminous trail behind a comet.
Used in astronomical contexts. Often combined with 彗星 (comet).
The comet's tail is stretching long.
The reverse side of a coin, opposite of heads.
Means 'back' or 'reverse'. Used for the tails side of a coin.
If the coin lands on tails, you lose.
The long trailing part of a kite.
Used for the tail of a kite. Often in the compound 凧の尾 (tako no o).
The kite's tail is fluttering in the wind.
The loose hanging part of a garment, like a tailcoat or the back of a shirt.
Generally means the hem or lower part of a garment. For a tailcoat specifically, 燕尾服 (enbi-fuku) is the garment, but the tail part is often just 裾.
Be careful not to step on the tail of the tailcoat.
Used in fashion contexts, e.g., テールコート (tailcoat).
尻尾 (しっぽ) is the everyday word for an animal's tail. 尾 (お) is more formal and often used in compounds or literary descriptions. For most daily conversations about pets, use しっぽ.
The loanword テール is not used for animal tails in normal conversation. It sounds unnatural. Stick to しっぽ or 尾.
Load luggage in the back of the car.
A problem occurred in the tail section of the aircraft.
I feel like someone is tailing me.
Wear a tailcoat to the party.