noun
unrecognized genius; hidden talent
Metaphorical expression for a person of great ability who remains unknown or inactive, like a dragon lying in wait. Often used in literary or historical contexts.
彼はまさに臥龍だ。まだ誰もその才能に気づいていない。
He is truly a hidden dragon. No one has yet noticed his talent.
noun
reclining dragon
Literal meaning of the kanji; refers to a dragon in a resting or crouching posture. This sense is rare and mostly found in classical Chinese literature or art descriptions.
この絵には臥龍が描かれている。
A reclining dragon is depicted in this painting.
Variant using the simplified kanji 竜; less common but still encountered.
From Chinese 臥龍 (wòlóng), literally 'reclining dragon'. The term is famously associated with Zhuge Liang, a strategist of the Three Kingdoms period, who was called 'Wòlóng' before his talents were recognized. The Japanese reading がりゅう is the on'yomi, and がりょう is a less common variant reading.