Japanese word

しまうま

Pronunciation

Romajishimauma

Meaning

  • nounzebra

Example

動物園にしまうまがいます。dō butsu en ni shi ma u ma ga i ma su

There is a zebra at the zoo.

Illustration for しまうま (zebra)

More examples

公園でしまうまの絵を描きます。kō en de shi ma u ma no e o ega ki ma su

I draw a picture of a zebra in the park.

Core concept

A zebra is a horse-like animal recognized by its pattern of dark and light stripes.

Common phrases

  • しまうまを見るshi ma u ma o mi ru

    see a zebra

  • しまうまの群れshi ma u ma no mu re

    a herd of zebras

Definition in Japanese

白と黒の縞模様をもつ、アフリカにすむ馬科の哺乳類。shiro to kuro no shima mo yō o mo tsu a fu ri ka ni su mu uma ka no ho nyū rui

Word origin

The Japanese name is written 縞馬 (shimauma, "striped horse"), combining 縞 (shima, "stripe") and 馬 (uma, "horse").

Usage tips

  • In English, zebra also appears in zebra crossing, especially in British English, for a striped pedestrian crossing.

Word lists with this word