小熊
koguma
The Japanese phrase for "little bear" is 小熊 (koguma).
小熊 is used to refer to a young bear or a bear of a small species. If you are referring to a teddy bear, the Japanese word is テディベア, while a bear stuffed animal is called クマのぬいぐるみ.
How do you pronounce it?
koguma
Did you know?
- In Japan, the word クマ is sometimes used as a slang term for the dark circles under one's eyes, as they look like the markings of a 'bear'.
- The constellation Ursa Minor is called 小熊座 in Japanese, which literally means 'little bear constellation'.
- If you were to write 'little bear' using only hiragana as こぐま, it would look much softer and more child-friendly on a page than using the kanji 小熊.
Examples in context
- あの小熊はとても可愛い。Ano koguma wa totemo kawaii.That little bear is very cute.
- 森の中で小熊を見つけた。Mori no naka de koguma o mitsuketa.I found a little bear in the forest.
- 小熊が母親の後を追っている。Koguma ga hahaoya no ato o otte iru.A little bear is following its mother.
Example conversation
Daisho and Himari are looking at a picture book together.
- 大翔 Hiroto見て、この小熊は本当に可愛いね。Mite, kono koguma wa hontou ni kawaii ne.Look, this little bear is really cute.
- 陽葵 Himari本当だね。お母さんと一緒にいるよ。Hontou da ne. Okaasan to issho ni iru yo.You're right. It's with its mother.
- 大翔 Hiroto小熊はどこで寝るのかな？Koguma wa doko de neru no kana?I wonder where the little bear sleeps?
- 陽葵 Himariきっと暖かい洞窟で寝るんだと思うよ。Kitto atatakai doukutsu de neru nda to omou yo.I think it probably sleeps in a warm cave.
