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 katakana form パンダ is the most common way to refer to the animal in everyday conversation.
Which one should you use?
While パンダ is the standard term, you may also encounter 熊猫 (kumaneko), イロワケグマ (irowakeguma) or シロクログマ (shirokuroguma).
How do you pronounce it?
panda
Did you know?
- If you use the katakana パンダ, you are using a word that has traveled from English through French to reach Japan.
- The Japanese language uses the word パンダ as a loanword even though the animal is native to China and has a native Chinese name.
- Japanese zoos often use the term パンダ to refer specifically to the giant panda, while using different modifiers for the red panda.
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 state that you have 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 is used to report that someone else 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
- ジャイアントパンダは、中国が起源で、白黒の毛と大きな目が特徴です。The giant panda originated from China and is characterized by its black and white fur and big eyes.
- 12 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
At the zoo, looking at the animal exhibits.
- 大翔 Hirotoパンダはどこにいるかな？Panda wa doko ni iru kana?I wonder where the panda is?
- 結衣 Yuiあそこにパンダがいるよ！Asoko ni panda ga iru yo!There is a panda over there!
- 大翔 Hiroto結衣、あの子は本当に可愛いね。Yui, ano ko wa hontou ni kawaii ne.Yui, that one is really cute.
- 結衣 Yui本当だね、大翔君。Hontou da ne, Hiroto-kun.You're right, Hiroto.
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.
