ウォンバット
wonbatto[β̞õ̞mba̠t̚to̞]
The English word "wombat" is translated into Japanese as ウォンバット (wonbatto).
ウォンバット is the noun used to refer to the wombat, a marsupial.
Meaning: marsupial (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
wonbatto
When do people say it?
This word is a loanword from English and is written using Katakana, the script used for foreign names and words.
Did you know?
- In Japanese pop culture, the phrase もふもふ 'mofu-mofu' is frequently paired with ウォンバット to describe their fluffiness. This onomatopoeia is a modern internet slang term used to describe the tactile pleasure of touching a soft animal.
- In Japanese zoos, ウォンバット are often described as having 'square' droppings, which is a point of fascination for visitors and a common topic in educational signage.
- The English two-syllable 'wombat' expands into a five-beat rhythmic structure in Japanese: 'wo-n-ba-t-to'. This is because Japanese phonology requires extra vowels to bridge consonants and end the word with a distinct beat.
Examples in context
- ウォンバットはとても可愛い動物です。Wonbatto wa totemo kawaii dōbutsu desu.A wombat is a very cute animal.
- 図鑑でウォンバットについて調べました。Zukan de wonbatto ni tsuite shirabemashita.I looked up information about wombats in a picture book.
- ウォンバットは袋を持つ有袋類です。Wonbatto wa fukuro o motsu yūrairui desu.Wombats are marsupials that have pouches.
Example conversation
Two friends are looking at an animal book in a cafe.
- 陽葵 Himariこのウォンバット、すごく可愛いね！Kono wonbatto, sugoku kawaii ne!This wombat is so cute!
- 大翔 Hiroto本当だ。丸い形が面白いね。Hontō da. Marui katachi ga omoshiroi ne.You're right. Its round shape is interesting.
- 陽葵 Himari大翔くんはウォンバットを知ってる？Hiroto-kun wa wonbatto o shitteru?Hiroto, do you know about wombats?
- 大翔 Hirotoうん、オーストラリアの動物だよね。Un, Ōsutoraria no dōbutsu da yo ne.Yeah, they are animals from Australia, right?
Sources
- Wiktionary, “wombat” translations and entries ウォンバット, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
