ワニ
wani
The English word 'crocodile' is ワニ (wani) in Japanese.
The word refers to the reptile known as a crocodile.
Meaning: reptile (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
wani
Did you know?
- Ancient Japanese texts used the term ワニ to describe giant sea creatures or legendary monsters, long before the biological crocodile was identified in the region.
- The kanji for ワニ, which is 鰐, contains the radical for 'fish' (魚) at the bottom, which can be confusing since it is a reptile.
- The Japanese word ワニ is used in the phrase ワニ口 'crocodile mouth' to describe a specific type of wide-open electrical connector or a particular shape of a tool.
Examples in context
- ワニが犬を食べた。A crocodile ate a dog.This sentence is useful for showing the subject ワニ performing an action.Tatoeba #1714917 by mookeee, translation #1714806 by gleki
- トムさんはワニを食べました。Tom ate a crocodile.This sentence is useful for showing the object ワニ being consumed.Tatoeba #1487616 by marshmallowcat, translation #1255088 by BraveSentry
- ワニは強力な捕食者です。Crocodiles are powerful predators.
- 川にワニがいるかもしれません。kawa ni wani ga iru kamoshiremasen.There might be a crocodile in the river.
Example conversation
Two friends are looking at a picture book about animals.
- 陽葵 Himariこのワニ、すごく大きいね！kono wani, sugoku ookii ne!This crocodile is really big!
- 大翔 Hiroto本当だ。迫力があるね。hontou da. hakuryoku ga aru ne.True. It's quite powerful.
- 陽葵 Himari大翔くんはワニが好き？hiroto-kun wa wani ga suki?Hiroto, do you like crocodiles?
- 大翔 Hirotoちょっと怖いけど、かっこいいよ。chotto kowai kedo, kakkoii yo.They're a little scary, but they're cool.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry ワニ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
