Japanese word

イモリ

Pronunciation

Romajiimori

Meaning

  • nounnewt

Example

水族館でイモリを見ました。sui zoku kan de i mo ri o mi ma shi ta

I saw a newt at the aquarium.

Illustration for イモリ (newt)

More examples

弟は図鑑でイモリの写真を見せてくれました。otōto wa zu kan de i mo ri no sha shin o mi se te ku re ma shi ta

My younger brother showed me a picture of a newt in a book.

Core concept

Describes a small tailed amphibian associated with ponds, streams, and other wet places.

Common phrases

  • イモリを見つけるi mo ri o mi tsu ke ru

    find a newt

  • イモリを捕まえるi mo ri o tsuka ma e ru

    catch a newt

Similar words

ヤモリyamori: A small lizard that climbs walls and feeds mainly on insects.

Definition in Japanese

池や水田などの水辺で暮らす、尾のある両生類。ike ya sui den na do no mizu be de ku ra su o no a ru ryō sei rui

Word origin

イモリ (imori) is a native Japanese word traditionally explained through 井守 (imori), with 井 (i, "well") and 守 (mori, "guard") referring to its presence near wells.

Usage tips

  • Many newts breed in ponds and then live on land for part of the year, so the word covers an amphibian with both aquatic and land-dwelling stages.

Word lists with this word