People around the world are charmed by animals, and Japanese people are no exception. They adore cute critters, as evidenced by widely recognized mascots such as Hello Kitty, Pikachu, and Rilakkuma.
In Japanese, how to say “animal” is dōbutsu (動物), pronounced dohh boo tsoo, and the symbols in the word dōbutsu mean “moving thing.” Recognizing Japanese kanji characters and radicals can help you learn the names of animals in Japanese!
Sometimes Japanese words for animals are more ambiguous compared to English words. Japanese people determine from context whether you’re talking about a mouse vs. a rat. Let’s explore some of the most common words for animals.
Table of Contents
Japanese words for pets
While many people in Japan have pets, the limited space in cities like Tokyo can make owning a pet difficult. As a result, animal cafes have become popular. If you have a need to play with your favorite type of pet, you can visit cat cafes, dog cafes, rabbit cafes, and more in Japan!
You can tell people you have a certain pet with this phrase:
- [Type of pet] o katte imasu. ([Type of pet]を飼っています。) = I’m taking care of [type of pet].
| Japanese | Romanization | Pronunciation | English |
| 犬 | inu | ee-noo | dog |
| 猫 | neko | neh-koh | cat |
| 三毛猫 | mike neko | mee-keh neh-koh | calico cat |
| 兎 | usagi | oo-sah-ghee | rabbit |
| チンチラ | chinchira | cheen-chee-rah | chinchilla |
| 鼠 | nezumi | neh-zoo-me | mouse/rat |
| 針鼠 | hari nezumi | hah-ree neh-zoo-mee | hedgehog |
| フェレット | feretto | feh-reh-TOH | ferret |
| モルモット | morumotto | moh-roo-moh-TOH | guinea pig |
| ハムスター | hamusutā | hah-moo-stahh | hamster |
| 鳥 | tori | toh-ree | bird |
| オウム | ōmu | ohh-moo | parrot |
| インコ | inko | een-koh | parakeet |
| 亀 | kame | kah-meh | turtle |
| 蛇 | hebi | heh-bee | snake |
| トカゲ | tokage | toh-kah-geh | lizard |
Farm animals in Japanese
Japanese farms are well-renowned for their quality. Japanese cows give you delicious wagyū beef and creamy Hokkaidō milk. You may be surprised to see ostriches included, since that’s uncommon in most farms. There are several ostrich farms in Japan, and you can eat food prepared with their eggs!
| Japanese | Romanization | Pronunciation | English |
| 馬 | uma | oo-mah | horse |
| ロバ | roba | roh-bah | donkey |
| アルパカ | arupaka | ah-roo-pah-kah | alpaca |
| 牛 | ushi | oo-shee | cow |
| 豚 | buta | boo-tah | pig |
| 羊 | hitsuji | hee-tsoo-jee | sheep |
| ヤギ | yagi | yah-ghee | goat |
| 鶏 | niwatori | nee-wah-toh-ree | chicken |
| ヒヨコ | hiyoko | hee-yoh-koh | chick |
| アヒル | ahiru | ah-hee-roo | domesticated duck |
| ダチョウ | dachō | dah-CHOH | ostrich |
Zoo animal names in Japanese
The word for zoo in Japanese is dōbutsuen (動物園), or literally “animal park.” The oldest and most famous zoo is Ueno Zoo in Tōkyo. As zoo animals come from countries outside Japan, many of their names are Japanese loanwords.
| Japanese | Romanization | Pronunciation | English |
| 象 | zō | zohh | elephant |
| 犀 | sai | sye | rhino |
| 河馬 | kaba | kah-bah | hippo |
| キリン | kirin | kee-reen | giraffe |
| 縞馬 | shima uma | shee-mah oo-mah | zebra |
| ライオン | raion | rye-ohn | lion |
| 虎 | tora | toh-rah | tiger |
| パンダ | panda | pahn-dah | panda |
| レッサーパンダ | ressā panda | reh-SAH pahn-dah | red panda (lesser panda) |
| カンガルー | kangarū | kahn-gah-roo | kangaroo |
| コアラ | koara | koh-ah-rah | koala |
| カモノハシ | kamonohashi | kah-moh-no-hah-shee | platypus |
| ゴリラ | gorira | goh-ree-rah | gorilla |
| ヒヒ | hihi | hee-hee | baboon |
| 狐猿 | kitsune zaru | kee-tsoo-neh zah-roo | lemur |
| フラミンゴ | furamingo | foo-rah-meen-goh | flamingo |
| オオハシ | ōhashi | ohh-hah-shee | toucan |
Japanese words for animals in urban areas
Even if you stick to Japanese cities, you’re bound to run into animals. Pigeons and sparrows typically live among humans, and crows have nested in Tokyo. Deer don’t live in densely populated areas, but they comfortably walk beside people and around buildings in the city of Nara and on the island of Miyajima. They play a big role in the festival called Omizutori.
| Japanese | Romanization | Pronunciation | English |
| 鹿 | shika | shee-kah | deer |
| 野良猫 | noraneko | noh-rah-neh-koh | stray cat |
| カラス | karasu | kah-rah-soo | crow/raven |
| 鳩 | hato | hah-toh | pigeon/dove |
| スズメ | suzume | soo-zoo-meh | sparrow |
| ゴキブリ | gokiburi | goh-kee-boo-ree | cockroach |
| ハエ | hae | hah-eh | fly |
| 蟻 | ari | ah-ree | ant |
Japanese words for fish
The word for “fish” in Japanese is sakana and is written with the symbol 魚. Different species of fish usually include the 魚 shape in their name, using it as a kanji radical.
One of Japan’s biggest cultural exports is sushi, so fish is important in traditional Japanese food! Japanese people often know more species of fish than people from other countries. The fish-shaped Japanese sweet taiyaki is specifically named after the sea bream, or tai (鯛) in Japanese.
| Japanese | Romanization | Pronunciation | English |
| 魚 | sakana | sah-kah-nah | fish |
| 鮪 | maguro | mah-goo-roh | tuna |
| サーモン | sāmon | sahh-mohn | salmon (typically served raw) |
| 鮭 | sake | sah-keh | chum salmon (typically cooked) |
| 鯖 | saba | sah-bah | mackerel |
| 鯵 | aji | ah-jee | horse mackerel |
| 鯛 | tai | tye | sea bream |
| 鰹 | katsuo | kah-tsoo-oh | bonito |
| 魬 | hamachi | hah-mah-chee | young yellowtail |
| 鯉 | koi | koy | carp |
| 鯰 | namazu | nah-mah-zoo | catfish |
| 金魚 | kingyo | keen-gyoh | goldfish |
Bugs in Japanese
In Japanese, the word mushi (虫) is a catch-all term for insects, worms, and other creepy-crawly critters. While most people in western countries aren’t fond of bugs, this is not the case in Japan. Bug-catching is a popular summer pastime for Japanese children. This activity actually inspired the globally beloved Pokémon franchise!
| japanese | romanization | pronunciation | english |
| 虫 | mushi | moo-shee | bug |
| カブト虫 | kabuto mushi | kah-boo-toh moo-shee | rhinoceros beetle |
| 毛虫 | kemushi | keh-moo-shee | caterpillar |
| 蝶 | chō | chohh | butterfly |
| 蛾 | ga | gah | moth |
| セミ | semi | seh-mee | cicada |
| カマキリ | kamakiri | kah-mah-kee-ree | praying mantis |
| バッタ | batta | bah-TAH | grasshopper |
| カタツムリ | katatsumuri | kah-tah-tsoo-moo-ree | snail |
| 天道虫 | tentō mushi | tehn-toh moo-shee | ladybug |
| 蛍 | hotaru | hoh-tah-roo | firefly |
| 蜂 | hachi | hah-chee | bee/wasp |
| スズメ蜂 | suzume bachi | soo-zoo-meh bah-chee | hornet |
| 蚊 | ka | kah | mosquito |
| ダニ | dani | dah-nee | tick |
| ムカデ | mukade | moo-kah-deh | centipede |
| 害虫 | gaichū | gye-choo | pest (“harmful insect”) |
Forest animals in Japanese
Almost 70% of Japan is covered in forest! Nature lovers can enjoy visiting Aokigahara forest at the base of Mt. Fuji or the UNESCO World Heritage site Shirakami-Sanchi. The island of Yakushima is covered with huge cedar trees and inspired the setting of the Studio Ghibli film Princess Mononoke.
| Japanese | Romanization | Pronunciation | English |
| 熊 | kuma | koo-mah | bear |
| 穴熊 | ana guma | ah-nah goo-mah | badger |
| 洗熊 | arai guma | ah-rah-ee goo-mah | raccoon |
| 猿 | saru | sah-roo | monkey |
| ナマケモノ | namake mono | nah-mah-keh moh-noh | sloth |
| ヒョウ | hyō | hyohh | jaguar |
| クロヒョウ | kurohyō | koo-roh hyohh | black panther |
| ピューマ | pyūma | pyoo-mah | mountain lion |
| 猪 | inoshishi | ee-noh-shee-shee | wild boar |
| アリクイ | ari kui | ah-ree koo-ee | anteater |
| 山荒 | yama arashi | yah-mah ah-rah-shee | porcupine |
| 栗鼠 | risu | ree-soo | squirrel |
| シマリス | shima risu | shee-mah ree-soo | chipmunk |
| コウモリ | kōmori | kohh-moh-ree | bat |
| 梟 | fukurō | foo-koo-rohh | owl |
| 鷲 | washi | wah-shee | eagle |
| 鷹 | taka | tah-kah | hawk |
Japanese words for marine animals
Japanese people’s strong connection to sea life is reflected in their extensive aquariums, or suizokukan (水族館). The most popular aquarium is Kaiyūkan in Ōsaka which proudly boasts the whale shark as its mascot.
| Japanese | Romanization | Pronunciation | English |
| サメ | same | sah-meh | shark |
| ジンベイザメ | jinbei zame | jeen-beh zah-meh | whale shark |
| クジラ | kujira | koo-jee-rah | whale |
| シャチ | shachi | shah-chee | orca |
| イルカ | iruka | ee-roo-kah | dolphin |
| ジュゴン | jugon | joo-gohn | dugong |
| 海驢 | ashika | ah-shee-kah | sea lion |
| ラッコ | rakko | rah-KOH | sea otter |
| ウーパールーパー | ūpārūpā | oo-pah-roo-pah | axolotl |
| タコ | tako | tah-koh | octopus |
| イカ | ika | ee-kah | squid |
| ウナギ | unagi | oo-nah-ghee | eel |
| 穴子 | anago | ah-nah-goh | conger eel |
| チンアナゴ | chin anago | cheen ah-nah-goh | spotted garden eel |
| クラゲ | kurage | koo-rah-geh | jellyfish |
| 海星 | hitode | hee-toh-deh | starfish |
| 海馬 | kaiba | kye-bah | seahorse |
| 蟹 | kani | kah-nee | crab |
| ザリガニ | zari gani | zah-ree gah-nee | crawfish |
| 海老 | ebi | eh-bee | shrimp |
| ホタテ | hotate | hoh-tah-teh | scallop |
| 海胆 | uni | oo-nee | sea urchin |
| 貝 | kai | kye | clam/mussel/oyster |
Japanese words for animals that live in arctic regions
Many Japanese indigenous animals are found on the northern island of Hokkaidō, which is known for its abundant snow. In fact, the Sapporo Snow Festival is held annually in Hokkaidō’s largest city. This snow sculpture event is one of the most popular Japanese festivals!
Animals seen in Hokkaidō’s snowy landscapes include bears and foxes. In the past a unique species of wolf could be found in Hokkaidō, and some people hold out hope they’ll be seen there again.
| Japanese | Romanization | Pronunciation | English |
| 白熊 | shiro kuma | shee-roh koo-mah | polar bear |
| ヘラジカ | hera jika | heh-rah jee-kah | moose |
| トナカイ | tonakai | toh-nah-kye | reindeer |
| 狼 | ōkami | ohh-kah-mee | wolf |
| 狐 | kitsune | kee-tsoo-neh | fox |
| 白貂 | shiro ten | shee-roh tehn | ermine |
| 鳴兎 | naki usagi | nah-kee oo-sah-ghee | pika |
| ペンギン | pengin | pehn-gheen | penguin |
| 海象 | seiuchi | sehh-oo-chee | walrus |
| アザラシ | azarashi | ah-zah-rah-shee | seal |
Names of Japanese animals in the desert and arid regions
Two places in Japan could be considered deserts. The only official desert is Urasabaku. This protected landmark on the island of Ōshima has limited vegetation because it’s covered in black volcanic ash.
The other location is the Tottori Sand Dunes. This impressive landmark was formed by deposits of sediment from nearby mountains over thousands of years. The weather isn’t particularly desert-like, but camel rides are a popular way to get around the area.
| Japanese | Romanization | Pronunciation | English |
| ラクダ | rakuda | rah-koo-dah | camel |
| サイガ | saiga | sye-gah | saiga antelope |
| がらがら蛇 | garagara hebi | gah-rah-gah-rah heh-bee | rattlesnake |
| フェネック | fenekku | feh-neh-KOO | fennec fox |
| 陸ガメ | riku game | ree-koo gah-meh | tortoise |
| ミチバシリ | michi bashiri | mee-chee bah-shee-ree | roadrunner |
| 蜘蛛 | kumo | koo-moh | spider |
| サソリ | sasori | sah-soh-ree | scorpion |
Japanese words for animals in the wetlands
Japanese people feel an affinity for animals that live in water and also those that live around water. Although capybaras are not Japanese indigenous animals, they are massively popular. They can be found at zoos, aquariums, and even animal cafes.
| Japanese | Romanization | Pronunciation | English |
| 水牛 | suigyū | soo-ee-gyoo | water buffalo |
| 獏 | baku | bah-koo | tapir |
| カピバラ | kapibara | kah-pee-bah-rah | capybara |
| 鼬 | itachi | ee-tah-chee | weasel |
| 川獺 | kawa uso | kah-wah oo-soh | river otter |
| 鶴 | tsuru | tsoo-roo | crane |
| 白鳥 | hakuchō | hah-koo-chohh | swan |
| 鴨 | kamo | kah-moh | wild duck |
| ワニ | wani | wah-nee | alligator/crocodile |
| イモリ | imori | ee-moh-ree | newt |
| カエル | kaeru | kah-eh-roo | frog |
| おたまじゃくし | otamajakushi | oh-tah-mah-jah-koo-shee | tadpole |
| トンボ | tonbo | tohn-boh | dragonfly |
| 水黽 | amenbo | ah-mehn-boh | water strider |
Baby animals in Japanese
Some common animals have distinct words for their offspring in English. Instead of “baby dog,” we say “puppy,” and instead of “baby cat,” we say “kitten.”
Japanese has a kanji symbol ko (子) which means “child.” If you add ko to the beginning of some Japanese words for animals, you’ll get the baby versions of those animals. The kanji symbol meaning “small” (小) can also be added to the beginning of some animal words. Conveniently, it has the same pronunciation ko.
| Japanese | Romanization | Pronunciation | English |
| 子犬 | ko inu | koh ee-noo | puppy |
| 子猫 | ko neko | koh neh-koh | kitten |
| 子馬 | ko uma | koh oo-mah | foal |
| 子牛 | ko ushi | koh oo-shee | calf |
| 子豚 | ko buta | koh boo-tah | piglet |
| 子羊 | ko hitsuji | koh hee-tsoo-jee | lamb |
| 小鳥 | ko tori | koh toh-ree | small bird |
| 小鹿 | ko jika | koh jee-kah | fawn |
| 小猿 | ko zaru | koh zah-roo | baby monkey |
| 小熊 | ko guma | koh goo-mah | bear cub |
Japanese breeds and indigenous animals
Although it’s a relatively small country, Japan includes an incredible variety of unique animals! They are spread throughout Japan; in Hokkaidō to the very north, you can find the Ezo red fox, and on the Ryūkyū islands to the very south, you can find the extremely venomous habu snake.
| Japanese | Romanization | Pronunciation | English |
| 柴犬 | shiba inu | shee-bah ee-noo | Shiba Inu dog |
| 秋田犬 | akita inu | ah-kee-tah ee-noo | Akita Inu dog |
| 錦鯉 | nishiki goi | nee-shee-kee goy | koi fish |
| エゾヒグマ | ezo higuma | eh-zoh hee-goo-mah | Ezo brown bear |
| 日本ジカ | nihon jika | nee-hohn jee-kah | sika deer |
| ニホンカモシカ | nihon kamoshika | nee-hohn kah-moh-shee-kah | Japanese serow (goat-antelope) |
| 日本猿 | nihon saru | nee-hohn zah-roo | Japanese macaque |
| 狸 | tanuki | tah-noo-kee | raccoon dog |
| 北きつね | kita kitsune | kee-tah kee-tsoo-neh | ezo red fox |
| イリオモテヤマネコ | iriomote yama neko | ee-ree-oh-moh-teh yah-mah neh-koh | Iriomote cat |
| アマミノクロウサギ | amami no kuro usagi | ah-mah-mee noh koo-roh oo-sah-ghee | Amami rabbit |
| モモンガ | momonga | moh-mohn-gah | Japanese dwarf flying squirrel |
| タンチョウ | tanchō | tahn-chohh | red-crowned crane |
| 雉 | kiji | kee-jee | green pheasant |
| 高足ガニ | taka ashi gani | tah-kah ah-shee gah-nee | Japanese spider crab |
| 蝮 | mamushi | mah-moo-shee | Japanese moccasin |
| ハブ | habu | hah-boo | habu (pit viper species) |
11 mythological Japanese animals
Throughout Japan’s long history, a rich Japanese animal mythology has developed. References to these mythological creatures can be found all over Japanese media, including some of the most popular anime and manga!
1. Yōkai
Pronunciation: yohh-kye
Yōkai (妖怪) is the catch-all term for Japanese supernatural entities. Multiple franchises are centered around yōkai, including the video game series Yo-kai Watch, and the manga series GeGeGe no Kitarō which has been popular in Japan for several decades.
2. Kirin
Pronunciation: kee-reen
The kirin (キリン) is based on a Chinese mythological creature called the qílín. It’s a chimera that looks like a deer with a flowing mane, dragon scales, and an ox tail. Kirin are viewed similarly to unicorns in the West; they are seen as embodiments of purity, good luck, and great magical power.
Kirin is also the word for giraffe in Japanese. Japanese people named the giraffe after the mythological kirin as they saw a physical resemblance, especially in how a giraffe’s coat pattern resembles scales.
3. Baku
Pronunciation: bah-koo
The baku (獏) is based on a Chinese mythological creature called the mò. Although the two names sound quite different, they use the same symbol. A baku is also a chimera and has an elephant head, a tiger body, and an ox tail. Baku feed on nightmares and are seen as protectors. The Pokémon Drowzee is based on the baku.
Baku is also the word for tapirs in Japanese because tapirs have trunks like baku.
4. Tanuki
Pronunciation: tah-noo-kee
A tanuki (狸) is a real native animal to Japan that is translated as “raccoon dog.” Over time, folktales were developed about these animals. The yōkai version of a tanuki is a mischievous shapeshifter. Tanuki statues are often found outside restaurants and homes.
5. Koma inu
Pronunciation: koh-mah ee-noo
If you visit a shrine in Japan, you’ll likely see a pair of statues at the entrance. The animals depicted are koma inu (狛犬) which are often called “lion-dogs” in English. Koma inu are always found in pairs, one male and one female, and they act as guardians.
6. Kyūbi
Pronunciation: kyoo-bee
The word kyūbi (九尾) literally means “nine tails” and refers to a mythological nine-tailed fox. This creature is the basis for a Pokémon called Ninetails and the Naruto character named Kurama.
7. Oni
Pronunciation: oh-nee
The word oni (鬼) is often translated as “ogre” or “demon.” Oni are powerful humanoids typically depicted with short pointy horns and red or blue skin. The Dragon Ball franchise has oni characters, and the monsters in the Demon Slayer series are called oni, although they don’t share most of the usual oni features.
8. Tengu
Pronunciation: tehn-goo
The tengu (天狗) was long depicted as a bird-like yōkai and was considered a bad omen. However, through the Edo Period (1603-1868) its appearance changed into a humanoid with a red face and a long nose, and it’s now viewed positively. Tengu live in the mountains and have lifestyles similar to ascetic monks. The Demon Slayer character Sakonji Urokodaki is always seen wearing a tengu mask.
9. Kappa
Pronunciation: kah-PAH
A kappa looks like a humanoid turtle with a smooth plate on top of its head. This plate must always be filled with water or the kappa will lose its strength. Kappa are said to love cucumbers, which is why a cucumber sushi roll is called a kappa maki.
10. Ryū
Pronunciation: ryoo
Ryū (龍) is the Japanese word for “dragon.” Japanese dragons resemble Chinese dragons, which are more serpentine in appearance. Ryū are considered among the most powerful mythological animals and are said to have control over water. The titular dragon in the Dragon Ball franchise matches traditional depictions of ryū.
11. Tsuchinoko
Pronunciation: tsoo-chee-noh-koh
Tsuchinoko look like snakes but with thick, stumpy bodies. Most yōkai are revered from a distance, but tsuchinoko are treated more like cryptids such as Bigfoot and the Loch Ness monster. Groups regularly go on expeditions to try to find a real tsuchinoko.
Japanese counters for animals
The Japanese grammar for talking about animals is rather standard. All animals in Japanese are nouns and follow the same grammar rules as other Japanese nouns. While other languages change the article or spelling when switching between singular and plural forms, in Japanese there are no separate singular and plural forms.
However, there is one grammar point to keep in mind when talking about animals: Japanese counters.
A different counter is used depending on the size and type of animal. The counter you’ll probably use most for animals is hiki (匹) as most pets are counted with hiki. If you want to share how many pets you have, you can say a sentence like this:
- Inu ippiki to neko ni-hiki o katte imasu. (犬一匹と猫二匹を飼っています。) = I’m taking care of one dog and two cats.
If you’re unsure which counter to use, it’s acceptable to use the generic tsu counter. It’s especially useful if you’re talking about mythological yōkai, which can come in any shape and size.
Here is the chart with counters for Japanese animals:
| Japanese | Romanization | Counter purpose |
| 匹 | hiki | small animals (smaller than humans) |
| 頭 | tō | large animals (larger than humans) |
| 羽 | wa | birds or rabbits |
| つ | tsu | general counter |
If you know the Japanese counter for birds, you can dissect this famous tongue twister:
- Niwa ni wa ni-wa niwatori ga iru. (庭には二羽鶏がいる。) = In the garden, there are two chickens.
The first niwa (庭) means “garden.” The next ni wa (には) are particles that respectively mark the location and subject. After that, ni-wa (二羽) is the counter for two birds. Finally, niwatori (鶏) means “chicken.”
Counters are the only special grammar point for animals in Japanese. If you want to make sentences including Japanese words for animals, your standard Japanese language guide will enable you to do so.
Share your love of animals in Japanese
There is an enormous variety of animals to be found, even just within the bounds of Japan. Many animal names are also cute Japanese words, making the vocabulary even more fun to learn! If you’re excited to share your love of animals in Japanese, start a Japanese language course with Rosetta Stone.
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