一匹狼(いっぴきおおかみ)

いっぴきおおかみ
noun
lone wolf; loner
personpersonality
1. lone wolf; loner; maverick
A person who prefers to act alone rather than as part of a group. Can be used admiringly for someone independent and self-reliant, or descriptively for someone who avoids social groups.
彼(かれ)は一匹狼(いっぴきおおかみ)タイプだ。
He's the lone wolf type.
一匹狼(いっぴきおおかみ)の刑事(けいじ)が事件(じけん)を解決(かいけつ)する映画(えいが)だ。
It's a movie about a lone wolf detective solving a case.
職場(しょくば)では一匹狼(いっぴきおおかみ)として知(し)られているが、仕事(しごと)の実力(じつりょく)は誰(だれ)もが認(みと)めている。
He is known as a loner at work, but everyone acknowledges his professional ability.

Usage

Literally means "one-animal wolf." Used as a metaphor for someone who operates independently, often with a hint of admiration for their self-reliance. Frequently appears in fiction to describe protagonists.

Common collocations

  • 一匹狼(いっぴきおおかみ)タイプ (the lone wolf type)
  • 一匹狼(いっぴきおおかみ)を気取(きど)る (to play the lone wolf)
  • 一匹狼(いっぴきおおかみ)で生(い)きる (to live as a lone wolf)

Cultural note

In group-oriented Japanese society, being a 一匹狼(いっぴきおおかみ) can carry both positive (strong, independent) and negative (antisocial, uncooperative) connotations depending on context.

general
Added 2026.3.19 13:22 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
17500/17823_ippikiookami