カメックス
Kamekkusu
Blastoise in Japanese is カメックス (Kamekkusu).
カメックス refers to the fictional turtle-like creature from the Pokémon series.
What does it mean word for word?
The name is a portmanteau of kame (turtle) and the English words blast or max (meaning maximum or power), which has been adapted to fit Japanese phonology.
How do you pronounce it?
Kamekkusu
Did you know?
- In Japanese, the word kame is a broad umbrella term that covers both turtles and tortoises, whereas English maintains a strict distinction based on whether the animal lives on land or in water.
- Because カメックス is written in katakana, a script typically used for foreign loanwords, it creates a linguistic paradox by using a native Japanese word for 'turtle' within a script usually reserved for 'alien' or imported terms.
- The name カメックス uses a phonetic ending that mimics the English letter 'x', which does not exist as a single sound in the Japanese alphabet.
Examples in context
- カメックスが頑張っているね！ (Kamekkusu が がんばっているね！)Blastoise is doing its best!
- カメックスはとても強いです。Kamekkusu wa totemo tsuyoi desu.Blastoise is very strong.
- カメックスの絵を描きました。Kamekkusu no e o kakimashita.I drew a picture of Blastoise.
- カメックスが好きですか？Kamekkusu ga suki desu ka?Do you like Blastoise?
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about their favorite Pokémon at a cafe.
- 美咲 Misaki蓮くんは、カメックスが好き？Ren-kun wa, Kamekkusu ga suki?Ren, do you like Blastoise?
- 蓮 Renうん、カメックスはかっこいいよ。Un, Kamekkusu wa kakkoii yo.Yeah, Blastoise is cool.
- 美咲 Misaki私もカメックスが大好き！Watashi mo Kamekkusu ga daisuki!I love Blastoise too!
- 蓮 Ren美咲も同じなんだね。Misaki mo onaji nanda ne.You feel the same way, Misaki.
