バク
baku
The Japanese word for tapir is バク (baku).
バク is a noun used to refer to the tapir, a large odd-toed ungulate characterized by a long, prehensile upper lip.
Meaning: large odd-toed ungulate with a long prehensile upper lip of the family Tapiridae (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced as baku.
Did you know?
- In Japanese folklore, the バク is not a real animal but a mythical creature that consumes people's bad dreams.
- Some people in Japan traditionally write their bad dreams on a piece of paper and place it under their pillow to let the バク devour them.
- The mythical バク is described as a chimera with the trunk of an elephant, the eyes of a rhinoceros and the tail of an ox.
Examples in context
- バクは鼻がとても長いです。Baku wa hana ga totemo nagai desu.The tapir has a very long nose.
- 動物園でバクを見ました。Doubutsuen de baku o mimashita.I saw a tapir at the zoo.
- バクの絵を描きました。Baku no e o kakimashita.I drew a picture of a tapir.
Example conversation
Two friends are looking at a picture book at a cafe.
- 蓮 Renこの動物は何ですか？Kono doubutsu wa nan desu ka?What animal is this?
- 陽葵 Himariバクですよ。Baku desu yo.It's a tapir.
- 蓮 Renバクは珍しいですね。Baku wa mezurashii desu ne.Tapirs are rare, aren't they?
- 陽葵 Himariはい、とても可愛いです。Hai, totemo kawaii desu.Yes, they are very cute.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry バク, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
