[ad_1]
It’s not sufficient to have the ability to discuss folks in Japanese – we have to discover ways to discuss animals, too! What animals are you seemingly going to seek out in Japan? What do animals sound like in Japanese – in different phrases, what are some animal-related onomatopoeia? And the way are animals linked to Japanese tradition? Hold studying to seek out out!
To start with, in Japanese, the phrase for “animal” or “animals” is 動物 (doubutsu).
You’ll run into all types of animals – in particular person or in dialog! In cities and cities, you’ll mostly encounter animals at dwelling as pets (or pests), in zoos, or in companies. (You could have heard of cat cafes – however do you know there are cafes with hedgehogs, owls, and extra?) When you’re in rural areas, you may come throughout all types of livestock and wild animals. Listed below are some lists of animals you may discover in all of those conditions.
Pets in Japanese
Studying about how one can discuss pets is the very best place to begin for studying animals in Japanese. Who can resist speaking about their furry (or feathery) finest buddy?
The phrase for “pet” in Japanese is ペット (petto). As you might need guessed, it comes from the English phrase!
Whereas pets and animal companions have lengthy been part of Japanese tradition, Japan has skilled a “pet growth” for the reason that early 2000s. Particularly as fewer folks have kids in Japan, extra persons are selecting to deal with animals for companionship. Many aged folks in Japan additionally get pleasure from retaining animals as pets.
Listed below are some animals you’ll generally discover as pets in Japan:
- canine – 犬 (inu)
- cat – 猫 (neko)
- hen – 鳥 (tori)
- hamster – ハムスター (hamusutaa)
- mouse – なずみ (nezumi)
- rabbit – うさぎ (usagi)
- ferret – フェレット (feretto)
- hedgehog – ハリネズミ (harinezumi)
- fish – 魚 (sakana)
- koi fish (carp) – 鯉 (koi)
- rhinoceros beetle – カブトムシ (kabutomushi)
- snake – ヘビ (hebi)
- turtle – カメ (kame)
Japanese residing areas are sometimes fairly small, particularly in cities. Due to this, Japanese folks typically maintain pets that may additionally stay in compact areas and are pretty straightforward to scrub.
There are various styles of native Japanese canine. The commonest are the shiba inu (柴犬, shibaken) and the Akita inu (秋田犬, akitaken). Because of the web, they’re now in style everywhere in the world!
You could have additionally heard the story of Hachiko (ハチ公), the Akita canine who loyally waited for his proprietor on the station daily, even after he died. There’s a well-known statue of Hachiko outdoors of Shibuya Station and a beautiful statue of Hachiko reuniting together with his proprietor on the College of Tokyo.
Hachiko being reunited together with his proprietor, Dr. Ueno, on the College of Tokyo campus
Small canine breeds reminiscent of chihuahuas (チワワ, chiwawa), toy poodles (トイプードル, toi puudoru), and dachshunds (ダックスフンド, dakkusufundo) are additionally very talked-about.
Nonetheless, not all pets are animals in Japan! Scientists and corporations have been growing robotic pets, such because the robotic canine AIBO. One other notable robotic pet is the child harp seal PARO, which is being developed to offer emotional assist for folks in hospitals and nursing houses.
You may additionally have heard of cat cafes (猫カフェ, neko kafe) in Japan. At a cat cafe, you possibly can pay a charge to enter and pet or play with the cats within the store, and still have a small meal or a drink. Moreover cat cafes, you may additionally discover owl (フクロウ, fukurou) cafes, hedgehog (ハリネズミ, harinezumi) cafes, rabbit (うさぎ, usagi) cafes, canine (犬, inu) cafes, micro pig (マイクロブタ, maikuro buta) cafes, and extra.
These are very talked-about as a result of many residences don’t enable tenants to maintain animals. Or folks may not really feel prepared for the duty of caring for a pet.
Nonetheless, remember the fact that animal rights usually are not as protected in Japan as they’re in another high-income nations. Due to this fact, some animal cafes function extra ethically than others. Some might need environments which can be extremely nerve-racking for the animals, however others take excellent care of them. Some cat cafes even absorb deserted cats and will allow you to undertake them! If these are points near your coronary heart, it’s a good suggestion to analysis the animal and cafe insurance policies beforehand!
Talking of which, animal shelters are known as 動物保護施設 (doubutsu hogo shisetsu) in Japanese. They normally deal with stray canine (野良犬, nora inu) and stray cats (野良猫, nora neko). They’re slowly rising in recognition, however most Japanese folks purchase their animals from pet retailers (ペットショップ, petto shoppu).
By the way in which, listed below are some widespread verbs to make use of with pets:
- brush – ブラシする (burashi suru)
I brush (my) canine. – 犬をブラシします (inu o burashi shimasu) - pet – 撫でる (naderu)
Can I pet your canine? – 犬を撫でてもいいですか (inu wo nadetemo ii desu ka?) - to take for a stroll – 散歩に連れていく (sanpo ni tsurete iku) or 散歩させる (sanpo saseru)
I must take my canine for a stroll. – 犬を散歩に連れて行かなければなりません (inu wo sanpo ni tsurete ikanakereba narimasen.)
Zoo Animals in Japanese
- antelope – アンテロープ (anteroupu)
- camel – ラクダ (rakuda)
- capybara – カピバラ (kapibara)
- cheetah – チーター (chiitaa)
- elephant – ゾウ (zou)
- gazelle – ガゼル (gazeru)
- giraffe – キリン (kirin)
- gorilla – ゴリラ (gorira)
- hippo – カバ (kaba)
- hyena – ハイエナ (haiena)
- kangaroo – カンガルー (kangaruu)
- leopard – ヒョウ (hyou)
- lion – ライオン (raion)
- monkey – 猿 (saru)
- ostrich – ダチョウ (dachou)
- rhino – サイ (sai)
- sloth – ナマケモノ (namakemono)
- tiger – トラ (tora)
- zebra – シマウマ (shimauma)
When you go to an aquarium (or a sushi store), you might also see many sea, lake, or river creatures:
- alligator / crocodile – ワニ (wani)
- crab – カニ (kani)
- dolphin – イルカ (iruka)
- eel – 鰻 (unagi) (freshwater) / 穴子 (anago) (saltwater)
- jellyfish – クラゲ (kurage)
- lobster – ロブスター (robustaa)
- octopus – タコ (tako)
- otter – カワウソ (kawauso)
- penguin – ペンギン (pengin)
- seal – アザラシ (azarashi)
- seahorse – タツノオトシゴ (tatsunootoshigo)
- shark – サメ (identical)
- shrimp – エビ (ebi)
- squid – イカ (ika)
- starfish – ヒトデ (hitode)
- stingray – エイ (ei)
- turtle – カメ (kame)
- walrus – セイウチ (seiuchi)
- whale – 鯨 (kujira)
By the way in which, do you know that the well-known Japanese monster Godzilla’s title comes from “gorilla” (gorira) and “whale” (kujira) mashed collectively?
Wild Animals in Japan
Whether or not you’re in an city or rural space, you’ll undoubtedly come throughout some wildlife. Listed below are a few of the commonest animals in Japan:
- bear – 熊 (kuma)
- bee – 蜂 (hachi)
- boar – 猪 (inoshishi)
- butterfly – 蝶 (chou)
- centipede – ムカデ (mukade)
- cicada – 蝉 (semi)
- cockroach – ゴキブリ (gokiburi)
- crane – 鶴 (tsuru)
- crow – カラス (karasu)
- deer – 鹿 (shika)
- dragonfly – トンボ (tonbo)
- firefly – 蛍 (hotaru)
- frog – カエル (kaeru)
- fox – 狐 (kitsune)
- hornet – スズメバチ (suzumebachi)
- monkey – 猿 (saru)
- pigeon / dove – 鳩 (hato)
- raccoon canine – タヌキ (tanuki)
- viper – ハブ (habu)
After all, you seemingly received’t encounter all of those creatures! Bears, for instance, are largely discovered within the north, reminiscent of Hokkaido. The additional south you get, the extra you’ll must take care of larger and extra harmful bugs and bugs, like hornets and large centipedes.
Nonetheless, some animals, like deer, one can find all over the place! Pleasant deer are very well-known for hanging round Nara and Miyajima.
There may be additionally an island known as Ookunoshima in Hiroshima that was once so secret, it was faraway from maps throughout World Warfare Two as a result of it manufactured poison fuel. Now, it’s overrun with spoiled, pleasant bunnies! There are various tales explaining why, however nobody is aware of for positive.
Deer attempting to enter a retailer within the city subsequent to Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima
Sadly, cockroaches are pests all over the place. Additionally they fly in Japan, making them very pesky! Fortunately, you should purchase handy traps and sprays to make use of in your house. My favourite is named “Gokiburi Hoi Hoi,” referred to as a “Roach Motel” in English, which is a sticky lure that appears like a contented cockroach dwelling. (By no means thoughts that it’s not completely satisfied for them and is supposed to kill them…) Simply watch out you probably have different pets or young children at dwelling!
By the way in which, do you know that the nationwide animal of Japan is the Japanese macaque, known as 日本猿 (Nihonzaru) in Japanese? It actually means “Japan monkey,” and It’s truly the one wild species of monkey in Japan. So when Japanese folks think about a monkey, it’s normally this kind!
The macaque was chosen because the nationwide animal by Emperor Meiji at a time of widespread deforestation. For the reason that macaque was turning into endangered, he hoped that by selecting it as Japan’s nationwide animal, he would assist folks perceive the significance of conservation!
Animals in Japanese Mythology, Folklore, and Superstitions
So what conventional animals are sacred in Japanese tradition? Really, animals make many appearances in Japanese mythology, folklore, and spirituality!
Within the indigenous Shinto faith, many deities are symbolized by animals. For instance, Hachiman, the deity of battle and Japan’s divine protector, is symbolized by a dove. Inari Ookami, the deity of rice and fertility, is symbolized by its messenger foxes. That’s why you see many fox statues at shrines which have inari gates! Different gods and goddesses are symbolized by dragons, or 龍 (ryuu).
Animals are additionally very current in mainstream superstitions and folklore. You could have heard trickster or form shifting foxes, otters, and raccoon canine. We’ve got a complete article explaining extra about these tales in size, so test it out!
Along with these, Koi, believed to be incarnations of dragons, symbolize luck and longevity. Turtles and cranes additionally symbolize long-life.
Cranes even have various symbolism. Additionally they symbolize completely satisfied marriages, in all probability as a result of they mate for all times. Due to their connections with longevity, they moreover symbolize good well being, and now, peace. Some folks consider that should you fold 1,000 paper cranes – known as 千羽鶴 (senbadzuru) – your want will come true. These are explanation why you typically see strings of paper cranes at locations representing peace, such because the Hiroshima battle memorials. This was popularized by a lady named Sadako Sasaki, who turned sick with leukemia after being uncovered to radiation from the Hiroshima atomic bomb. She turned well-known for attempting to fold 1,000 paper cranes earlier than she died.
A great deal of origami cranes donated to memorialize Fukuromachi College, which partially survived the atomic bombing, in Hiroshima Metropolis
Frogs symbolize many issues, reminiscent of luck. As a result of the phrase for frog is identical as “to return,” 帰る(kaeru), they symbolize the concept that good issues will come again to you, like good karma. You might even see folks happening a journey taking a frog allure with them! Since they will solely leap ahead, in addition they symbolize optimistic development or transferring ahead.
You could have seen a 招き猫 (maneki neko), or a white cat statue with a paw raised and beckoning you. These are widespread on the entrances of retailers and eating places. They symbolize luck and are believed to assist carry the enterprise extra prospects!
The Ainu, one other indigenous group in Japan, additionally has wealthy mythology about animals. Bears are particularly sacred of their tradition, and so they even have gods (known as kamuy) associated to owls, dragons, snakes, cranes, and extra!
The Japanese zodiac is similar to the Chinese language zodiac. In Japanese, the zodiac is named 干支 (eto). Based on fantasy, the supreme god hosted a race for animals. The winners turned the zodiac. So as of who completed from first to final, and listed with a few of their optimistic and unfavorable traits, we’ve got:
- rat – 子 (ne): energetic, resourceful, however grasping and impolite
- ox – 丑 (ushi): hardworking and reliable, however narrow-minded
- tiger – 寅 (tora): passionate and courageous, however temperamental and impulsive
- rabbit – 卯 (u): elegant and tactful, however gullible
- dragon – 辰 (tatsu): noble and courageous, however uncontrollable and temperamental
- snake – 巳 (mi): smart and chronic, however detached and too introverted
- horse – 午 (uma): decided and sociable, however impatient and thoughtless
- sheep – 未 (hitsuji): thoughtful and artistic, however indecisive and meek
- monkey – 申 (saru): versatile and resourceful, however manipulative and erratic
- rooster – 酉 (tori): impartial and diligent, however aggressive and too bold
- canine – 戌 (inu): loyal and sensible, however cussed and significant
- boar – 亥 (i): sincere and humble, however temperamental and naive
Notice that lots of the animals right here have a special phrase and/or kanji for them than what is often utilized in fashionable Japanese.
Key variations from the Chinese language zodiac are that the boar replaces the Chinese language pig, and the sheep replaces the Chinese language goat or ram. The 12 months additionally modifications with the photo voltaic calendar, following the Western 12 months, slightly than the lunar Calendar, like in Chinese language tradition.
Japanese is wealthy in onomatopoeia, and animals make many various sounds! Listed below are a few of the commonest onomatopoeia to be taught for animals:
- Canine say ワンワン (wan wan)
- Cats say ニャーニャー (nyaa nyaa)
- Birds say ピヨピヨ (piyo piyo)
- Mice say チューチュー (chuu chuu)
- Cows say モーモー (moo moo)
- Horses say ヒヒーン (hello hiin)
- Sheep say メー (mee)
- Pigs say ブーブー (buu buu)
- Roosters say コケコッコー (kokekokkoo)
- Geese say ガーガー (gaa gaa)
- Owls say ホーホー (hoo hoo)
- Frogs say ケロケロ (kero kero)
- Monkeys say ウキウキ (uki uki)
- Foxes say コンコン (kon kon)
- Elephants say バオーン (baoon)
- Wolves say ワオーン (waoon)
- Dolphins say キューキュー (kyuu kyuu)
- Flies, bees, and different flying bugs make ブーン (buun)
- Something that roars, like a lion or a tiger, says ガオー (gaoo)
Now you recognize why some anime ladies will add in some nyaas to their sentences (to make them sound cute and cat-like) and the way Pikachu (the electrical mouse) received its title. And naturally, how any Japanese particular person would reply to, “What does the fox say?”
Now You Find out about Animals in Japan
So there you go! Now you possibly can discuss what animals are widespread in Japan and what animals are sacred in Japan.
After getting a few of these phrases memorized, maintain constructing your Japanese language expertise with some sentence observe! It’s possible you’ll now acknowledge many different animal references in Japanese popular culture, reminiscent of anime and video video games, that contain very Japanese symbolism.
By studying about animals in Japan, you possibly can improve each your linguistic and cultural data – what a win-win!
[ad_2]