象
zou[d͡zo̞ː]
The Japanese word for elephant is 象 (zou).
象 refers to the mammal. The term ゾウくん might be used to refer to elephants in a more playful or endearing manner.
Meaning: mammal (noun)
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
zou
Did you know?
- The character 象 is used in the Japanese word for 'phenomenon' 現象 (genshō), because a phenomenon is an 'image' of something happening.
- In ancient Japan, the native word for elephant was kisa. Some scholars believe this word was chosen because ivory looks like the grain of certain types of wood.
- If you see the kanji 象 used in a name or a title, it might refer to a 'statue' or 'image' rather than the pachyderm.
Examples in context
- 象は鼻が長い。An elephant has a long nose.This sentence is useful for describing the physical characteristic of an elephant's nose using 象.Tatoeba #146304 by tommy_san, translation #268258 by CK
- 象は巨大な動物である。An elephant is an enormous animal.This sentence is useful for stating that an elephant is an enormous animal using 象.Tatoeba #146307 by bunbuku, translation #268255 by CK
- 象って、見たことある？Have you ever seen an elephant?This sentence is useful for asking if someone has ever seen an elephant using 象.Tatoeba #10792752 by small_snow, translation #7926057 by shekitten
- 私達は動物園で大きな象を見ました。We saw a big elephant at the zoo.
- あのゾウさんはとてもかわいいですね！That elephant is very cute, isn't it?
- 9 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are looking at a picture book in a library.
- 結衣 Yuiこの象はとても大きいね。Kono zou wa totemo ookii ne.This elephant is very big, isn't it?
- 大翔 Hiroto本当だ。象の絵は迫力があるね。Hontou da. Zou no e wa hakuryoku ga aru ne.You're right. Elephant pictures are really striking.
- 結衣 Yui大翔くんは象が好き？Hiroto-kun wa zou ga suki?Hiroto, do you like elephants?
- 大翔 Hirotoうん、大好きだよ。Un, daisuki da yo.Yeah, I love them.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “elephant” translations and entries 象, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 象, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
