# Kobe

/ˈkoʊbeɪ/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/kobe
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. city in Japan

noun · CEFR B1

a large city in Japan, famous for its port and high-quality beef.

For teachers: the capital city of Hyogo Prefecture, Japan; a major international port and the namesake of a premium variety of Wagyu beef.

- We visited Kobe during our trip to Japan to try the famous local steak.
- The 1995 earthquake caused significant damage to the infrastructure of Kobe, though the city has since undergone extensive reconstruction.

### 2. shouted when throwing

interjection · CEFR C1 · Slang · American English · Informal

something you shout when you throw an object at a target, like a ball into a bin, to show you are good at it.

For teachers: an exclamation used while throwing an object toward a target to predict or celebrate accuracy, referencing basketball player Kobe Bryant.

- He shouted 'Kobe' as he tossed the crumpled paper into the bin from across the room.
- The students frequently yelled 'Kobe' during their break while attempting to land plastic bottles in the recycling bin.

Teaching tip: This slang term is a tribute to the late basketball star Kobe Bryant; it is most common among younger speakers in casual settings.

## Examples

- He shouted 'Kobe!' as the crumpled paper landed perfectly in the bin.
- Even though the trash can was across the room, she yelled 'Kobe' and made the shot perfectly.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.