Translation guide
The animal zebra. In Japanese, it is usually referred to by the loanword ゼブラ or the native term しまうま, with ゼブラ being more common in everyday speech.
Referring to the striped equid animal.
The most common and neutral term, a loanword from English. Used in everyday conversation, media, and products.
動物園でゼブラを見た。
I saw a zebra at the zoo.
Native Japanese word meaning 'striped horse'. Slightly more formal or literary, often used in educational contexts.
Katakana rendering of しまうま, sometimes used for emphasis or in scientific names, but less common.
しまうまはアフリカに生息している。
Zebras inhabit Africa.
シマウマの縞模様は個体ごとに異なる。
The stripe pattern of zebras differs by individual.