How to Say "Ivory" in Japanese

象牙

zōge[d͡zo̞ːɡe̞]

The Japanese word for "ivory" is 象牙 (zōge).

Meaning: material (noun)

What does it mean word for word?

The word 象牙 (zōge) is composed of the characters for elephant (象) and tooth/fang (牙).

zōge

While 象牙 means 'ivory', the word 牙 is used in the term 牙城 to describe a 'stronghold' or 'bastion', metaphorically referring to the unbreakable strength of a tusk.
The kanji used in 象牙, 象 (elephant), is also the character used in the word for 'image' or 'phenomenon', 象徴 (shōchō), showing a linguistic link between physical creatures and abstract concepts.
In Japanese, the character 牙 is used for 'ivory' but also specifically for 'fangs' or 'tusks' of predators, whereas 歯 is used for standard teeth.

これは象牙で作られています。
Kore wa zouge de tsukurarete imasu.
This is made of ivory.
象牙の装飾はとても美しいです。
Zouge no soushoku wa totemo utsukushii desu.
The ivory decoration is very beautiful.

Kenta and Himari are visiting an antique shop.

陽葵 Himari

この櫛は象牙ですか？
Kono kushi wa zouge desu ka?
Is this comb made of ivory?
健太 Kenta

はい、本物の象牙ですよ。
Hai, honmono no zouge desu yo.
Yes, it is real ivory.
陽葵 Himari

とても上品な感じですね。
Totemo jouhin na kanji desu ne.
It feels very elegant.
健太 Kenta

陽葵さん、気に入りましたか？
Himari-san, ki ni irimashita ka?
Himari, do you like it?

Sources

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