ヒグマ
higuma
The Japanese word for brown bear is ヒグマ (higuma). Wiktionary also lists 羆 (higuma).
Meaning: Ursus arctos (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| ヒグマ | higuma | |
| 羆 | higuma | [çiɡɯ̟ma̠] (narrow) |
The term refers to the species *Ursus arctos*.
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of the reading for the kanji 羆 (higuma), which refers specifically to the brown bear species.
Which one should you use?
The katakana spelling ヒグマ is the most common way to write the word in modern Japanese, especially in scientific or general contexts. The kanji 羆 is a more formal or literary way to write the word, often seen in historical texts or specific names.
How do you pronounce it?
higuma
Did you know?
- The Ainu people of northern Japan traditionally revere the ヒグマ as a mountain deity called キムンカムイ, which means 'god of the mountains'.
- The kanji 羆 contains a component meaning 'scarlet', suggesting an ancient connection between the bear's color and the color red.
- The kanji 羆 is so uncommon in daily life that it is categorized as a 'difficult' character and is frequently avoided in modern Japanese newspapers.
Examples in context
- 三毛別羆事件Sankebetsu brown bear incidentThis sentence is useful for seeing the kanji 羆 used in a historical name.
- この地域には褐色の熊が生息しています。Brown bears inhabit this area.
- 森で茶色のクマに遭遇したよ。I encountered a brown bear in the forest.
- グリズリーってすごく迫力があるんだよね。Grizzly bears are really impressive.
- ヒグマはとても大きいです。Higuma wa totemo ookii desu.The brown bear is very large.
- 北海道にはヒグマが生息しています。Hokkaido ni wa higuma ga seisoku shite imasu.Brown bears inhabit Hokkaido.
Example conversation
A girl and a boy are watching a nature documentary on TV.
- 健太 Kentaあのヒグマ、強そうですね。Ano higuma, tsuyosou desu ne.That brown bear looks strong, doesn't it?
- 陽葵 Himari本当ですね、迫力があります。Hontou desu ne, hakuryoku ga arimasu.It really is, it's quite powerful.
- 健太 Kenta陽葵さんは、ヒグマは怖いですか？Himari-san wa, higuma wa kowai desu ka?Himari, are you afraid of brown bears?
- 陽葵 Himariはい、とても怖いです。Hai, totemo kowai desu.Yes, I am very afraid.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “brown bear” translations and entries ヒグマ, 羆, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 羆, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
