Japanese word

ライオン

Pronunciation

Romajiraion

Meaning

  • nounlion

Example

動物園でライオンを見ます。dō butsu en de ra i o n o mi ma su

I see a lion at the zoo.

Illustration for ライオン (lion)

More examples

絵本のライオンが寝ています。e hon no ra i o n ga ne te i ma su

The lion in the picture book is sleeping.

サバンナでライオンが水を飲んでいます。sa ba n na de ra i o n ga mizu o no n de i ma su

A lion is drinking water on the savanna.

Core concept

Refers to a large wild cat known for its muscular body, tawny coat, and the mane of the adult male.

Common phrases

  • ライオンを見るra i o n o mi ru

    see a lion

Similar words

獅子shishi: A literary term for a lion, often used in traditional expressions and art.

Definition in Japanese

ネコ科の大型の哺乳類で、雄にはたてがみがあり、主にアフリカの草原などに生息する動物。ne ko ka no ō gata no ho nyū rui de osu ni wa ta te ga mi ga a ri omo ni a fu ri ka no sō gen na do ni sei soku su ru dō butsu

Word origin

ライオン (raion, "lion") is a loanword from English lion, which came through French from Latin leo.

Usage tips

  • The phrase "the lion's share" uses the animal's traditional image of strength to mean the largest part of something.

Word lists with this word