How to Say "Gecko" in Japanese

ヤモリ

yamori

The Japanese word for gecko is ヤモリ (yamori).

ヤモリ refers to a lizard of the family Gekkonidae.

Meaning: lizard of the family Gekkonidae (noun)

How do you pronounce it?

yamori

The name ヤモリ is thought to be derived from the phrase 屋守り, which literally means 'house protector'.
In some regions of Japan, the ヤモリ is associated with the 'fire-stopping' belief, where its presence is thought to protect a building from fire.
The word is often written in Katakana as ヤモリ even though it is a native Japanese word, because it is treated as a biological name.

これはトカゲじゃなくてヤモリだよ。
This is not a lizard, it's a gecko.
This sentence is useful for distinguishing a gecko from a lizard.
Tatoeba #10901904 by small_snow, translation #11383687 by MrJuice
「イモリ」と「ヤモリ」って、どうやって見分けるの？
How can you distinguish between a Gecko and a Newt?
This sentence is useful for asking how to tell the difference between a newt and a gecko.
Tatoeba #9019093 by small_snow, translation #9985253 by tsp_2
壁にヤモリがいるよ。
Kabe ni yamori ga iru yo.
There is a gecko on the wall.

Hiyori and Kenta are looking at a small animal in the garden.

陽葵 Himari

見て、あそこにヤモリがいるよ！
Mite, asoko ni yamori ga iru yo!
Look, there's a gecko over there!
健太 Kenta

本当だ。指が面白い形をしているね。
Hontō da. Yubi ga omoshiroi katachi o shite iru ne.
You're right. Its toes are a funny shape.
陽葵 Himari

ヤモリは壁を登れるんだって。
Yamori wa kabe o noboreru n datte.
I heard geckos can climb walls.
健太 Kenta

すごいね。逃げないように静かに見よう。
Sugoi ne. Nigenai yō ni shizuka ni miyō.
That's amazing. Let's watch quietly so it doesn't run away.

Sources

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