Phrase in 30 Seconds
Use this when something so weird happens that you feel like you've been bewitched by a magical fox.
- Means: To be completely bewildered or dumbfounded by an unexpected event.
- Used in: Losing keys suddenly or hearing unbelievable news.
- Don't confuse: It's about confusion, not necessarily being 'tricked' out of money.
Explication à ton niveau :
Signification
To be tricked or confused by something, like a fox's magic.
Contexte culturel
Foxes are considered 'Zenko' (good foxes) when serving Inari, but 'Yako' (field foxes) when playing tricks. This idiom specifically references the 'Yako' behavior. Characters with fox-like traits (kitsunemimi) often possess the power to confuse or trick others, keeping this idiom relevant in pop culture. Even today, some people jokingly blame a 'fox' when they can't find their keys, showing how deeply the idiom is rooted in the psyche. Many woodblock prints from the Edo period depict foxes wearing lotus leaves on their heads to perform magic, which is the visual basis for this idiom.
Use with 'Youna'
It's most natural when used as an adjective: '{狐|きつね}に{つま|つま}まれたような' + Noun (Face, Feeling, Experience).
Not for Scams
If you lose money to a phishing email, don't use this. Use 'sagi ni au' (to be scammed).
Use with 'Youna'
It's most natural when used as an adjective: '{狐|きつね}に{つま|つま}まれたような' + Noun (Face, Feeling, Experience).
Not for Scams
If you lose money to a phishing email, don't use this. Use 'sagi ni au' (to be scammed).
Literary Flair
Using this in a Japanese essay about a surprising event will make your writing sound much more native and sophisticated.
Teste-toi
Choose the correct particle to complete the idiom.
{狐|きつね}（ ）{つま|つま}まれる
The idiom uses the passive voice, so the agent (the fox) is marked with the particle 'ni'.
In which situation is it MOST natural to use this idiom?
Which scenario fits?
This is a classic 'inexplicable/weird' moment where you feel silly and confused.
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the idiom.
{信|しん}じられないことが{起|お}きて、{狐|きつね}に（ ）ような{気分|きぶん}だ。
The past passive form '{つま|つま}まれた' is used with 'youna' to describe the feeling of having been bewitched.
Fill in the blank in the dialogue.
A: {昨日|きのう}、{誰|だれ}もいないのにドアが開いたんだ。 B: ええっ、それは（ ）ね。
A door opening by itself is a surreal event that fits the idiom perfectly.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
5 exercices{狐|きつね}（ ）{つま|つま}まれる
The idiom uses the passive voice, so the agent (the fox) is marked with the particle 'ni'.
Which scenario fits?
This is a classic 'inexplicable/weird' moment where you feel silly and confused.
{信|しん}じられないことが{起|お}きて、{狐|きつね}に（ ）ような{気分|きぶん}だ。
The past passive form '{つま|つま}まれた' is used with 'youna' to describe the feeling of having been bewitched.
A: {昨日|きのう}、{誰|だれ}もいないのにドアが開いたんだ。 B: ええっ、それは（ ）ね。
A door opening by itself is a surreal event that fits the idiom perfectly.
🎉 Score : /5
Questions fréquentes
5 questionsNot at all! While it has old roots, it's used daily in modern Japan to describe surreal moments.
Yes! If you were so shocked you didn't know what to say, it's a perfect fit.
'Odoroku' is just 'to be surprised.' This idiom adds a layer of 'this makes no sense' or 'is this magic?'
Usually, it's written in hiragana or with the kanji {摘|つ}まれる. The kanji {抓|つ}ねられる is rarer for this idiom.
It's neutral. You can use it with friends or with a boss if you use the polite form 'tsumamareru omoi desu.'
Expressions liées
{狐|きつね}に{化|ば}かされる
similarTo be bewitched/deceived by a fox.
{馬脚|ばきゃく}を{現|あらわ}す
contrastTo reveal one's true character (to show the horse's legs).
{鳩|はと}が{豆鉄砲|まめでっぽう}を{食|く}ったよう
similarLike a pigeon hit by a bean-shooter.
{煙|けむ}に{巻|ま}く
builds onTo bewilder someone (to wrap them in smoke).
Où l'utiliser
Losing your phone
A: あれ？スマホがない。さっきまでここにあったのに。
B: {狐|きつね}に{つま|つま}まれたみたいだね。ポケットは？
Surprise promotion
Tanaka: {部長|ぶちょう}に{呼|よ}ばれて、いきなり{昇進|しょうしん}だと言われました。
Sato: それはすごい！{狐|きつね}に{つま|つま}まれたような{気分|きぶん}でしょう？
Magic show
Child: お父さん、コインが消えちゃったよ！
Father: 本当だ、{狐|きつね}に{つま|つま}まれたような{顔|かお}をしてるぞ。
Sudden weather change
Friend A: さっきまで晴れてたのに、急に大雨だよ。
Friend B: まさに{狐|きつね}に{つま|つま}まれたような{天気|てんき}だね。
Finding a lost item in a weird place
Sister: お兄ちゃんの靴下、冷蔵庫の中にあったよ。
Brother: えっ！？{狐|きつね}に{つま|つま}まれたような{気|き}がする...
Unbelievable news headline
Colleague: あの有名な会社が倒産したらしいですよ。
Manager: 本当ですか。{狐|きつね}に{つま|つま}まれたような{思|おも}いです。
Mémorise-le
Moyen mnémotechnique
Imagine a sneaky fox sneaking up behind you and giving your arm a tiny pinch. You spin around, but the fox is gone! You're left standing there confused. That's 'Kitsune ni tsumamareru'.
Association visuelle
Visualize a bright orange fox with a green leaf on its head (a classic sign of a shapeshifting fox in Japan). It's pointing at a person who has a blank, swirling-eyes expression like a cartoon character.
Rhyme
Kitsune ni tsumamare, confused in the air!
Story
You are walking in a forest. A fox appears and winks. Suddenly, your shoes are on your hands and your hat is on your feet. You look around, blinking in disbelief. You have been 'tsumamareru' (pinched/bewitched) by the fox.
In Other Languages
In English, we might say 'I feel like I'm in the Twilight Zone' or 'I'm dumbfounded.' In German, 'Wie verhext sein' (to be as if hexed) is very close.
Word Web
Défi
Try to find one 'glitch in the matrix' moment today (like losing your pen) and say to yourself: '{狐|きつね}に{つま|つま}まれたみたいだ！'
Review this phrase whenever you see a fox in a movie or anime. Associate the 'fox' with 'sudden, weird confusion'.
Prononciation
The 'i' in 'ki' is often devoiced (whispered) in standard Japanese.
Focus on the double 'ma' sound. It should flow smoothly.
Spectre de formalité
その{報|しら}せを{聞|き}き、{狐|きつね}に{つま|つま}まれたような{心地|ここち}がいたしました。 (Reacting to news)
{ニュース|にゅーす}を{見|み}て、{狐|きつね}に{つま|つま}まれたような{気分|きぶん}になりました。 (Reacting to news)
{ニュース|にゅーす}、びっくりした！{狐|きつね}に{つま|つま}まれたみたいだよ。 (Reacting to news)
マジで{狐|きつね}に{つま|つま}まれたわ。 (Reacting to news)
The phrase dates back to the Edo period (1603–1867), a time when belief in the supernatural was part of daily life. It combines the cultural icon of the fox with the verb 'tsumamu' (to pinch).
Le savais-tu ?
There is a specific type of sushi called 'Inari-zushi' (fox sushi) because it's believed foxes love fried tofu (abura-age)!
Notes culturelles
Foxes are considered 'Zenko' (good foxes) when serving Inari, but 'Yako' (field foxes) when playing tricks. This idiom specifically references the 'Yako' behavior.
“Stories of foxes turning grass into horses to fool travelers.”
Characters with fox-like traits (kitsunemimi) often possess the power to confuse or trick others, keeping this idiom relevant in pop culture.
“In 'Natsume's Book of Friends', fox spirits often cause confusion for the protagonist.”
Even today, some people jokingly blame a 'fox' when they can't find their keys, showing how deeply the idiom is rooted in the psyche.
“Saying 'Kitsune no shiwaza ka?' (Is this a fox's doing?) when something goes missing.”
Many woodblock prints from the Edo period depict foxes wearing lotus leaves on their heads to perform magic, which is the visual basis for this idiom.
“Utagawa Kuniyoshi's prints of shapeshifting foxes.”
Amorces de conversation
{最近|さいきん}、{狐|きつね}に{つま|つま}まれたような{不思議|ふしぎ}なことはありましたか？
{手品|てじな}を{見|み}て、{狐|きつね}に{つま|つま}まれたような{顔|かお}になったことはありますか？
{日本|にほん}の{狐|きつね}の{文化|ぶんか}についてどう{思|おも}いますか？
Erreurs courantes
{狐|きつね}を{つま|つま}む
{狐|きつね}に{つま|つま}まれる
L1 Interference
{狸|たぬき}に{つま|つま}まれる
{狐|きつね}に{つま|つま}まれる
L1 Interference
{狐|きつね}に{騙|だま}される (when you mean confusion)
{狐|きつね}に{つま|つま}まれる
L1 Interference
Using it for a death or serious accident.
ショックを受ける / {信|しん}じられない
L1 Interference
In Other Languages
To be dumbfounded / In the Twilight Zone
English uses spatial or physical metaphors, while Japanese uses folklore figures.
Quedarse de piedra
Spanish focuses on the physical stillness; Japanese focuses on the mental confusion.
Tomber des nues
French uses a vertical metaphor (falling); Japanese uses a supernatural one (fox magic).
Wie verhext sein
German is more general about magic; Japanese specifies the fox as the source.
كأن على رؤوسهم الطير (Ka'anna 'ala ru'usihim al-tayr)
Arabic emphasizes silence and stillness; Japanese emphasizes the 'weirdness' of the event.
莫名其妙 (Mòmíngqímiào)
Chinese is more abstract/philosophical; Japanese is more narrative/folklore-based.
귀신이 곡할 노릇 (Gwisini gokhal noreut)
Korean uses 'ghosts' (gwisin) while Japanese uses 'foxes' (kitsune).
Ficar boquiaberto
Portuguese is purely descriptive of the face; Japanese implies a cause (the fox).
Spotted in the Real World
“まるで{狐|きつね}に{つま|つま}まれたような{心持|こころもち}がした。”
The cat describing its confusion at human behavior.
“{狐|きつね}に{つま|つま}まれたような{顔|かお}をして、どうしたんだ？”
Madara mocking Natsume when he is confused by a spirit's trick.
Facile à confondre
Both involve foxes and 'weird' things.
Remember 'Yomeiri' is only for weather (sunshowers), while 'Tsumamareru' is for your feelings.
Both involve animals and trickery.
Tanuki-neiri means 'faking sleep.' It has nothing to do with being confused.
Questions fréquentes (5)
Not at all! While it has old roots, it's used daily in modern Japan to describe surreal moments.
usage contextsYes! If you were so shocked you didn't know what to say, it's a perfect fit.
practical tips'Odoroku' is just 'to be surprised.' This idiom adds a layer of 'this makes no sense' or 'is this magic?'
comparisonsUsually, it's written in hiragana or with the kanji {摘|つ}まれる. The kanji {抓|つ}ねられる is rarer for this idiom.
grammar mechanicsIt's neutral. You can use it with friends or with a boss if you use the polite form 'tsumamareru omoi desu.'
cultural usage
