Translation guide
The animal Orcinus orca. In Japanese, the most common term is シャチ, but the formal biological name is サカマタ. There is also a less common kanji term 鯱.
killer whale
I saw a killer whale show at the aquarium.
Killer whales are the apex predators of the sea.
The formal biological name for the species. Used in scientific contexts or formal writing.
The killer whale is a mammal.
Kanji form of シャチ. Rarely used in modern writing; mostly seen in traditional contexts or as a decorative motif (e.g., 鯱鉾 on castle roofs).
This kanji is also used for the mythical creature shachihoko, not always the actual animal.
The castle roof is decorated with a shachihoko (mythical carp).