Japanese word

きりん

Pronunciation

Romajikirin

Meaning

  • noungiraffe

Example

動物園できりんを見ました。dō butsu en de ki ri n o mi ma shi ta

I saw a giraffe at the zoo.

Illustration for きりん (giraffe)

More examples

写真のきりんは首を伸ばしています。sha shin no ki ri n wa kubi o no ba shi te i ma su

The giraffe in the picture is stretching its neck.

Core concept

Names a tall African mammal with a very long neck, long legs, and a spotted coat.

Common phrases

  • きりんの模様ki ri n no mo yō

    a giraffe's pattern

  • きりんに餌をやるki ri n ni esa o ya ru

    feed a giraffe

Similar words

ジラフjirafu: A loanword for a tall African mammal with a very long neck, long legs, and a spotted coat.

Definition in Japanese

長い首と四本の長い脚を持ち、体に斑点のあるアフリカ産の大型草食動物。naga i kubi to yon pon no naga i ashi o mo chi karada ni han ten no a ru a fu ri ka san no ō gata sō shoku dō butsu

Word origin

The Japanese animal name きりん (kirin) comes from 麒麟 (kirin, "a mythical hoofed creature"), the Chinese name that was applied to the giraffe in Japan.

Usage tips

  • The giraffe is the tallest living land animal, and its long neck makes it easy to identify even from far away.

Word lists with this word