パンダ
panda[pã̠nda̠]
The Japanese word for panda is パンダ. Wiktionary also lists 熊猫 (kumaneko) and イロワケグマ (irowakeguma).
Meaning: Ailuropoda melanoleuca (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| パンダ | panda | [pã̠nda̠] (narrow) |
| 熊猫 | kumaneko | |
| イロワケグマ | irowakeguma | |
| シロクログマ | shirokuroguma |
The most common way to refer to the animal in everyday conversation is the katakana form パンダ. In scientific contexts, the scientific name *Ailuropoda melanoleuca* is used.
Which one should you use?
Other forms like 熊猫 (kumaneko), イロワケグマ (irowakeguma) and シロクログマ (shirokuroguma) also exist for the animal.
How do you pronounce it?
panda
Did you know?
- While the word パンダ is borrowed from English, it actually entered the Japanese language via French, reflecting the influence of French diplomacy and science in early modern Japan.
- The kanji 熊猫 represents a linguistic fossil from an era when animals were categorized by their closest resemblance, mistakenly grouping the panda with both bears and cats.
- The term イロワケグマ contains the word イロワケ, which means 'to distinguish colors'.
Examples in context
- パンダは１回見たことあるよ。I have seen a panda once.This sentence shows how to express having seen a パンダ once.Tatoeba #9258091 by bunbuku, translation #252121 by CK
- パンダ見たことないんだって。He says he's never seen a panda.This sentence shows how to report that someone has never seen a パンダ.Tatoeba #10099864 by small_snow, translation #7396956 by CH
- パンダを見たことがありますか。Have you ever seen a panda?This sentence is a way to ask if someone has ever seen a パンダ.Tatoeba #197761 by bunbuku, translation #34950 by CK
- 12 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
At the zoo, looking at a poster of animals.
- 美咲 Misakiパンダ、かわいいね。panda, kawaii ne.The panda is cute, isn't it?
- 陽太 Yotaそうだね。あそこにいるよ。sou da ne. asoko ni iru yo.It is. It's over there.
- 美咲 Misaki本当に！パンダは寝ているね。hontou ni! panda wa nete iru ne.Really! The panda is sleeping.
- 陽太 Yotaゆっくり休んでいるみたいだね。yukkuri yasunde iru mitai da ne.It looks like it's resting peacefully.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “panda” translations and entries パンダ, 熊猫, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries パンダ, 熊猫, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
