🌏 Region(s): Ryukyu (Okinawa)

くま【此間】 : kuma | define meaning

kuma

Pronunciation: [kuma]

Definition

Deictic Pronoun

Here; right here; this place; this spot; this way
1. くまんかいくー【くまんかい来ー】
  kuma nkai kuu
  "Come over here"

Etymology

Historical Ryukyuan attestations

Essay in Aid of a Grammar and Dictionary of the Luchuan Language (1895), by Basil Hall Chamberlain, records "kuma, 'here'; kumā, 'as for here'; kuma ngkai,' hither'".

Spelling

Orthography	Form
Kanji	此間
Kana	くま
Romanization	kuma
Pronunciation (IPA)	[kuma]

意味：ここ【此処・爰・茲】、こっち

+ amend/report

此間

Tags: Okinawan Language, Uchinaaguchi, Ryukyuan Languages, 沖縄方言, 沖縄語, うちなーぐち, 沖縄口, 琉球方言, 琉球語...

Cite this entry: Read, Zachary. (2026, September 27). くま【此間】 : kuma | define meaning. JLect: Japonic Languages and Dialects Database. Retrieved 2026, October 12, from https://www.jlect.com/entry/431/kuma/.