蛙
kaeru
The Japanese word for 'frog' is 蛙 (kaeru).
蛙 refers to a small amphibian with long back legs that typically lives near water.
How do you pronounce it?
kaeru
When do people say it?
In Japanese culture, the word for frog 蛙 is a homophone for 'to return' (kaeru), making frogs symbols of good luck for things returning, such as money or lost items.
Did you know?
- In the ancient poetry collection Man'yōshū, the sounds for 'frog' were used phonetically to help spell the name of the maple tree, kaede.
- The word 蛙 (kaeru) has a poetic counterpart, kawazu, which was used in ancient Japanese poetry like the Man'yōshū.
Examples in context
- 生物学の授業で、最もポピュラーな実験材料はカエルです。In biology class, frogs are the most popular experimental subjects.
- 池に蛙がいます。ike ni kaeru ga imasu.There is a frog in the pond.
- 小さな蛙を見つけました。chiisana kaeru wo mitsukemashita.I found a small frog.
Example conversation
Yota and Himari are walking by a stream.
- 陽葵 Himari見て、あそこに蛙がいるよ！mite, asoko ni kaeru ga iru yo!Look, there is a frog over there!
- 陽太 Yota本当だ！緑色でかわいいね。hontou da! midoriiro de kawaii ne.You're right! It's green and cute.
- 陽葵 Himari蛙は泳ぐのが速いかな？kaeru wa oyogu no ga hayai kana?I wonder if frogs are fast swimmers?
- 陽太 Yotaたぶん速いと思うよ。tabun hayai to omou yo.I think they probably are.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 蛙, CC BY-SA 4.0.
