Japanese word

クジラ

Pronunciation

Romajikujira

Meaning

  • nounwhale

Example

遠くにクジラが見えます。tō ku ni ku ji ra ga mi e ma su

I can see a whale in the distance.

Illustration for クジラ (whale)

More examples

海でクジラを見ました。umi de ku ji ra o mi ma shi ta

I saw a whale in the sea.

水族館でクジラを見ました。sui zoku kan de ku ji ra o mi ma shi ta

I saw a whale at the aquarium.

Core concept

Refers to a large sea-dwelling mammal recognized by its streamlined body, powerful tail, and great size.

Common phrases

  • クジラの群れku ji ra no mu re

    pod of whales

  • クジラの鳴き声ku ji ra no na ki goe

    whale call

  • クジラを見るku ji ra o mi ru

    watch whales

Definition in Japanese

海に生息する、魚に似た体形をした大きな哺乳類。umi ni sei soku su ru sakana ni ni ta tai kei o shi ta ō ki na ho nyū rui

Word origin

The word クジラ (kujira) is a native Japanese name of uncertain origin rather than a clearly explainable compound, and 鯨 (kujira) is its kanji spelling with the meaning "whale."

Usage tips

  • The word クジラ (kujira) covers both a single whale and the animal as a species, with the intended number supplied by context.

Word lists with this word