Farm to Forest: 191 Japanese Phrases for Animals

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Individuals all over the world are charmed by animals, and Japanese individuals are no exception. They adore cute critters, as evidenced by well known mascots reminiscent of Good day Kitty, Pikachu, and Rilakkuma.

In Japanese, learn how to say “animal” is dōbutsu (動物), pronounced dohh boo tsoo, and the symbols within the phrase dōbutsu imply “transferring factor.” Recognizing Japanese kanji characters and radicals may also help you study the names of animals in Japanese!

Generally Japanese phrases for animals are extra ambiguous in comparison with English phrases. Japanese individuals decide from context whether or not you’re speaking a few mouse vs. a rat. Let’s discover among the commonest phrases for animals.

Japanese phrases for pets

Whereas many individuals in Japan have pets, the restricted house in cities like Tokyo could make proudly owning a pet tough. Consequently, animal cafes have develop into widespread. You probably have a have to play along with your favourite kind of pet, you’ll be able to go to cat cafes, canine cafes, rabbit cafes, and extra in Japan!

You’ll be able to inform individuals you could have a sure pet with this phrase:

• [Type of pet] o katte imasu. ([Type of pet]を飼っています。) = I’m caring for [type of pet].

Livestock in Japanese

Japanese farms are well-renowned for his or her high quality. Japanese cows offer you scrumptious wagyū beef and creamy Hokkaidō milk. You might be stunned to see ostriches included, since that’s unusual in most farms. There are a number of ostrich farms in Japan, and you may eat meals ready with their eggs!

Zoo animal names in Japanese

The phrase for zoo in Japanese is dōbutsuen (動物園), or actually “animal park.” The oldest and most well-known zoo is Ueno Zoo in Tōkyo. As zoo animals come from international locations outdoors Japan, lots of their names are Japanese loanwords.

Japanese phrases for animals in city areas

Even in case you keep on with Japanese cities, you’re certain to run into animals. Pigeons and sparrows sometimes dwell amongst people, and crows have nested in Tokyo. Deer don’t dwell in densely populated areas, however they comfortably stroll beside individuals and round buildings within the metropolis of Nara and on the island of Miyajima. They play an enormous position within the pageant referred to as Omizutori.

Japanese phrases for fish

The phrase for “fish” in Japanese is sakana and is written with the image 魚. Totally different species of fish normally embrace the 魚 form of their title, utilizing it as a kanji radical.

One in all Japan’s greatest cultural exports is sushi, so fish is essential in conventional Japanese meals! Japanese individuals typically know extra species of fish than individuals from different international locations. The fish-shaped Japanese candy taiyaki is particularly named after the ocean bream, or tai (鯛) in Japanese.

Bugs in Japanese

In Japanese, the phrase mushi (虫) is a catch-all time period for bugs, worms, and different creepy-crawly critters. Whereas most individuals in western international locations aren’t keen on bugs, this isn’t the case in Japan. Bug-catching is a well-liked summer season pastime for Japanese youngsters. This exercise really impressed the globally beloved Pokémon franchise! 

Forest animals in Japanese

Virtually 70% of Japan is roofed in forest! Nature lovers can get pleasure from visiting Aokigahara forest on the base of Mt. Fuji or the UNESCO World Heritage website Shirakami-Sanchi. The island of Yakushima is roofed with large cedar bushes and impressed the setting of the Studio Ghibli movie Princess Mononoke.

Japanese phrases for marine animals

Japanese individuals’s robust connection to sea life is mirrored of their in depth aquariums, or suizokukan (水族館). The most well-liked aquarium is Kaiyūkan in Ōsaka which proudly boasts the whale shark as its mascot. 

Japanese phrases for animals that dwell in arctic areas

Many Japanese indigenous animals are discovered on the northern island of Hokkaidō, which is understood for its ample snow. The truth is, the Sapporo Snow Pageant is held yearly in Hokkaidō’s largest metropolis. This snow sculpture occasion is among the hottest Japanese festivals!

Animals seen in Hokkaidō’s snowy landscapes embrace bears and foxes. Prior to now a singular species of wolf may very well be present in Hokkaidō, and a few individuals maintain out hope they’ll be seen there once more.

Names of Japanese animals within the desert and arid areas

Two locations in Japan may very well be thought of deserts. The one official desert is Urasabaku. This protected landmark on the island of Ōshima has restricted vegetation as a result of it’s coated in black volcanic ash.

The opposite location is the Tottori Sand Dunes. This spectacular landmark was fashioned by deposits of sediment from close by mountains over hundreds of years. The climate isn’t significantly desert-like, however camel rides are a well-liked technique to get across the space. 

Japanese phrases for animals within the wetlands

Japanese individuals really feel an affinity for animals that dwell in water and likewise people who dwell round water. Though capybaras will not be Japanese indigenous animals, they’re massively widespread. They are often discovered at zoos, aquariums, and even animal cafes. 

Child animals in Japanese

Some frequent animals have distinct phrases for his or her offspring in English. As a substitute of “child canine,” we are saying “pet,” and as a substitute of “child cat,” we are saying “kitten.”

Japanese has a kanji image ko (子) which suggests “youngster.” In case you add ko to the start of some Japanese phrases for animals, you’ll get the newborn variations of these animals. The kanji image which means “small” (小) may also be added to the start of some animal phrases. Conveniently, it has the identical pronunciation ko.

Japanese breeds and indigenous animals

Though it’s a comparatively small nation, Japan contains an unbelievable number of distinctive animals! They’re unfold all through Japan; in Hokkaidō to the very north, you’ll find the Ezo purple fox, and on the Ryūkyū islands to the very south, you’ll find the extraordinarily venomous habu snake.

11 mythological Japanese animals

All through Japan’s lengthy historical past, a wealthy Japanese animal mythology has developed. References to those mythological creatures might be discovered throughout Japanese media, together with among the hottest anime and manga!

1. Yōkai

Pronunciation: yohh-kye

Yōkai (妖怪) is the catch-all time period for Japanese supernatural entities. A number of franchises are centered round yōkai, together with the online game sequence Yo-kai Watch, and the manga sequence GeGeGe no Kitarō which has been widespread in Japan for a number of a long time.

2. Kirin

Pronunciation: kee-reen

The kirin (キリン) relies on a Chinese language mythological creature referred to as the qílín. It’s a chimera that appears like a deer with a flowing mane, dragon scales, and an ox tail. Kirin are seen equally to unicorns within the West; they’re seen as embodiments of purity, good luck, and nice magical energy.

Kirin can also be the phrase for giraffe in Japanese. Japanese individuals named the giraffe after the mythological kirin as they noticed a bodily resemblance, particularly in how a giraffe’s coat sample resembles scales.

3. Baku

Pronunciation: bah-koo

The baku (獏) relies on a Chinese language mythological creature referred to as the mò. Though the 2 names sound fairly completely different, they use the identical image. A baku can also be a chimera and has an elephant head, a tiger physique, and an ox tail. Baku feed on nightmares and are seen as protectors. The Pokémon Drowzee relies on the baku.

Baku can also be the phrase for tapirs in Japanese as a result of tapirs have trunks like baku.

4. Tanuki

Pronunciation: tah-noo-kee

A tanuki (狸) is an actual native animal to Japan that’s translated as “raccoon canine.” Over time, folktales have been developed about these animals. The yōkai model of a tanuki is a mischievous shapeshifter. Tanuki statues are sometimes discovered outdoors eating places and houses.  

5. Koma inu

Pronunciation: koh-mah ee-noo

In case you go to a shrine in Japan, you’ll doubtless see a pair of statues on the entrance. The animals depicted are koma inu (狛犬) which are sometimes referred to as “lion-dogs” in English. Koma inu are at all times present in pairs, one male and one feminine, they usually act as guardians. 

6. Kyūbi

Pronunciation: kyoo-bee

The phrase kyūbi (九尾) actually means “9 tails” and refers to a mythological nine-tailed fox. This creature is the premise for a Pokémon referred to as Ninetails and the Naruto character named Kurama.

7. Oni

Pronunciation: oh-nee

The phrase oni (鬼) is commonly translated as “ogre” or “demon.” Oni are highly effective humanoids sometimes depicted with quick pointy horns and purple or blue pores and skin. The Dragon Ball franchise has oni characters, and the monsters within the Demon Slayer sequence are referred to as oni, though they don’t share a lot of the standard oni options.

8. Tengu

Pronunciation: tehn-goo

The tengu (天狗) was lengthy depicted as a bird-like yōkai and was thought of a foul omen. Nonetheless, by way of the Edo Interval (1603-1868) its look became a humanoid with a purple face and an extended nostril, and it’s now seen positively. Tengu dwell within the mountains and have existence just like ascetic monks. The Demon Slayer character Sakonji Urokodaki is at all times seen sporting a tengu masks. 

9. Kappa

Pronunciation: kah-PAH

A kappa seems to be like a humanoid turtle with a easy plate on prime of its head. This plate should at all times be crammed with water or the kappa will lose its power. Kappa are stated to like cucumbers, which is why a cucumber sushi roll known as a kappa maki.

10. Ryū

Pronunciation: ryoo

Ryū (龍) is the Japanese phrase for “dragon.” Japanese dragons resemble Chinese language dragons, that are extra serpentine in look. Ryū are thought of among the many strongest mythological animals and are stated to have management over water. The titular dragon within the Dragon Ball franchise matches conventional depictions of ryū.

11. Tsuchinoko

Pronunciation: tsoo-chee-noh-koh

Tsuchinoko appear like snakes however with thick, stumpy our bodies. Most yōkai are revered from a distance, however tsuchinoko are handled extra like cryptids reminiscent of Bigfoot and the Loch Ness monster. Teams usually go on expeditions to attempt to discover a actual tsuchinoko.

Japanese counters for animals

The Japanese grammar for speaking about animals is relatively normal. All animals in Japanese are nouns and comply with the identical grammar guidelines as different Japanese nouns. Whereas different languages change the article or spelling when switching between singular and plural types, in Japanese there aren’t any separate singular and plural types.

Nonetheless, there’s one grammar level to bear in mind when speaking about animals: Japanese counters. 

A distinct counter is used relying on the scale and sort of animal. The counter you’ll most likely use most for animals is hiki (匹) as most pets are counted with hiki. If you wish to share what number of pets you could have, you’ll be able to say a sentence like this:

• Inu ippiki to neko ni-hiki o katte imasu. (犬一匹と猫二匹を飼っています。) = I’m caring for one canine and two cats.

In case you’re not sure which counter to make use of, it’s acceptable to make use of the generic tsu counter. It’s particularly helpful in case you’re speaking about mythological yōkai, which may are available in any form and measurement.

Right here is the chart with counters for Japanese animals:

If you realize the Japanese counter for birds, you’ll be able to dissect this well-known tongue tornado: 

• Niwa ni wa ni-wa niwatori ga iru. (庭には二羽鶏がいる。) = Within the backyard, there are two chickens.

The primary niwa (庭) means “backyard.” The following ni wa (には) are particles that respectively mark the placement and topic. After that, ni-wa (二羽) is the counter for 2 birds. Lastly, niwatori (鶏) means “hen.”

Counters are the one particular grammar level for animals in Japanese. If you wish to make sentences together with Japanese phrases for animals, your normal Japanese language information will allow you to take action. 

Share your love of animals in Japanese

There is a gigantic number of animals to be discovered, even simply inside the bounds of Japan. Many animal names are additionally cute Japanese phrases, making the vocabulary much more enjoyable to study! In case you’re excited to share your love of animals in Japanese, begin a Japanese language course with Rosetta Stone.