Japanese Conversation · Level 42
90 words
Japanese word
虎
Pronunciation
Romajitora
Meaning
- nountiger
Example
動物園に虎がいます。dō butsu en ni tora ga i ma su
There is a tiger at the zoo.
More examples
動物園で虎を見ます。dō butsu en de tora o mi ma su
I see a tiger at the zoo.
遠くから虎の鳴き声が聞こえます。tō ku ka ra tora no na ki goe ga ki ko e ma su
I can hear a tiger roaring in the distance.
Core concept
Refers to a large wild cat with a striped coat, especially when describing the animal itself or something tiger-like.
Common phrases
虎の鳴き声tora no na ki goe
tiger's roar
Definition in Japanese
黄色と黒の縞模様を持つ大型のネコ科の動物。ki iro to kuro no shima mo yō o mo tsu ō gata no ne ko ka no dō butsu
Word origin
The Japanese word 虎 (tora, "tiger") is an old native term with an uncertain deeper origin, while the kanji 虎 was borrowed from Chinese writing.
Usage tips
- In the Japanese zodiac, the tiger is represented by 寅 (tora), while 虎 (tora) is the everyday word for the animal.