ウーパールーパー
ūpārūpā[ɯ̟ːpa̠ːɾɯ̟ːpa̠ː]informal
The English phrase axolotl is translated into Japanese as ウーパールーパー (ūpārūpā). Wiktionary also lists アホロートル (ahorōtoru).
Meaning: endangered salamander (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| ウーパールーパー | ūpārūpā | [ɯ̟ːpa̠ːɾɯ̟ːpa̠ː] (narrow) | informal |
| アホロートル | ahorōtoru | [a̠ho̞ɾo̞ːto̞ɾɯ̟] (narrow) |
The words are used to refer to the endangered salamander known as the axolotl.
Which one should you use?
アホロートルちゃん is an informal way to address an axolotl in a cute or endearing manner and ウーパちゃん is an informal way to refer to axolotls.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
ウーパールーパー is considered informal. アホロートルちゃん and ウーパちゃん are also informal terms.
How do you pronounce it?
ūpārūpā
When do people say it?
The name ウーパールーパー originated from a Japanese commercial brand name for a specific brand of axolotl, which has since become the standard common name for the animal in Japan.
Did you know?
- The term ウーパールーパー was originally created to promote a specific brand of instant noodles in 1985.
- The term ウーパールーパー is written in katakana because it is a foreign loanword, despite being created by a Japanese company.
Examples in context
- ウーパールーパーはとても可愛い。U-uparu-pa- wa totemo kawaii.The axolotl is very cute.
- 水槽にウーパールーパーがいます。Suisou ni U-uparu-pa- ga imasu.There is an axolotl in the aquarium.
- ウーパールーパーを飼いたいな。U-uparu-pa- o kaitai na.I want to keep an axolotl as a pet.
Example conversation
Misaki and Ren are looking at pets in a shop.
- 美咲 Misaki蓮、見て！このウーパールーパー、すごいね。Ren, mite! Kono ūpārupā, sugoi ne.Ren, look! This axolotl is amazing.
- 蓮 Ren本当だ。色が白くてきれいだね。Hontō da. Iro ga shirokute kirei da ne.You're right. The white color is beautiful.
- 美咲 Misaki私もウーパールーパーを飼いたいな。Watashi mo ūpārupā o kai tai na.I want to have an axolotl too.
- 蓮 Renいいと思うよ。一緒に考えよう。Ii to omou yo. Issho ni kangaeyō.I think that's a good idea. Let's think about it together.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “axolotl” translations and entries ウーパールーパー, アホロートル, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries アホロートル, ウーパールーパー, CC BY-SA 4.0.
