マーモット
māmotto[ma̠ːmo̞t̚to̞]
The Japanese word for marmot is マーモット (māmotto).
The word refers to a rodent of the genera Marmota. Because it is a loanword from English, it is written in Katakana, the script used for foreign loanwords.
Meaning: rodent of the genera Marmota (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
māmotto
Did you know?
- In Japanese, the word モルモット meaning 'guinea pig' is used as a common metaphor for a human subject in a scientific experiment.
- The Japanese word for marmot, マーモット, is a close linguistic relative of the word for guinea pig, モルモット.
- The word マーモット has a doublet in マルモット, meaning both versions are used interchangeably to refer to the same animal.
Examples in context
- マーモットは高山で見かけられる動物です。Marmots are animals commonly seen in high-altitude areas.
- 今日、山でマーモットを見たんだよ！I saw a marmot in the mountains today!
- 動物園でマーモットを見ました。Doubutsuen de maamotto o mimashita.I saw a marmot at the zoo.
- マーモットは穴の中で眠ります。Maamotto wa ana no naka de nemurimasu.Marmots sleep inside holes.
Example conversation
Kenta and Himari are looking at a picture book in a cafe.
- 健太 Kentaこのマーモット、すごく丸いね。Kono maamotto, sugoku marui ne.This marmot is so round.
- 陽葵 Himari本当だ！健太君、これ大好き？Hontou da! Kenta-kun, kore daisuki?True! Kenta, do you love this?
- 健太 Kentaうん、すごく可愛いと思う。Un, sugoku kawaii to omou.Yeah, I think it's very cute.
- 陽葵 Himari陽葵も、この写真が好きだよ。Himari mo, kono shashin ga suki da yo.Himari likes this photo too.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “marmot” translations and entries マーモット, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries マーモット, CC BY-SA 4.0.
