サバンナ
sabanna[sa̠bã̠nːa̠]
The English word savanna is translated into Japanese as サバンナ (sabanna). Wiktionary also lists サバナ (sabana).
Meaning: tropical grassland with scattered trees (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| サバンナ | sabanna | [sa̠bã̠nːa̠] (narrow) |
| サバナ | sabana |
The term refers to a tropical grassland with scattered trees.
Which one should you use?
While both サバンナ (sabanna) and サバナ (sabana) refer to a savanna, サバンナ is the more common spelling in modern Japanese. サバナ is an older or alternative transliteration.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is sabanna.
Did you know?
- While the English word comes from the Spanish 'sabana', the Japanese version follows the English pronunciation path rather than the Spanish one.
- While サバンナ describes the landscape, Japanese speakers often associate the word specifically with the imagery of the Serengeti due to the popularity of wildlife documentaries.
- Because Japanese lacks a native word for 'savanna', it uses this loanword even when describing prehistoric landscapes in manga or anime.
Examples in context
- 「アフリカには大草原が広がっています。」Africa has vast savannas stretching across it.
- 「熱帯地域には美しいサバンナが広がっています。」Beautiful savannas extend across tropical regions.
- 「キリンやゾウがいる広い草原に行きたいです！」I want to visit a wide grassy plain with giraffes and elephants!
- アフリカには広いサバンナがあります。Afurika ni wa hiroi sabanna ga arimasu.There are vast savannas in Africa.
- サバンナには珍しい動物がたくさんいます。Sabanna ni wa mezurashii doubutsu ga takusan imasu.There are many rare animals in the savanna.
- サバンナの風景はとても美しいです。Sabanna no fuukei wa totemo utsukushii desu.The savanna landscape is very beautiful.
Example conversation
Ren and Himari are watching a nature documentary together.
- 蓮 Renこのサバンナはとても広そうだね。Kono sabanna wa totemo hirosou da ne.This savanna looks very vast, doesn't it?
- 陽葵 Himariはい、景色がとても綺麗です。Hai, keshiki ga totemo kirei desu.Yes, the scenery is very beautiful.
- 蓮 Ren動物たちが自由に歩いているよ。Doubutsu-tachi ga jiyuu ni aruite iru yo.The animals are walking around freely.
- 陽葵 Himari蓮さんは、アフリカに行ってみたいですか？Ren-san wa, Afurika ni itte mitai desu ka?Ren, do you want to try going to Africa?
Sources
- Wiktionary, “savanna” translations and entries サバンナ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
