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ホトケドジョウ (ほとけどじょう) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

ホトケドジョウ

Meanings

1

noun

Japanese eight-barbel loach

usually written using kana alone

A small freshwater fish native to Japan, Lefua echigonia. Often kept in aquariums.

ホトケドジョウは日本にほんの固こ有ゆう種しゅです。
The Japanese eight-barbel loach is a species endemic to Japan.
水すい槽そうにホトケドジョウを飼かっている。
I keep a Japanese eight-barbel loach in my aquarium.

Written forms

ホトケドジョウ
kana-only spelling
Katakana spelling is common for this fish name; usually written in kana.
仏ほとけ泥鰌どじょう
Kanji spelling exists but is rarely used; usually written in kana.

Kanji

仏Buddha, the dead, France
泥mud, mire, adhere to
鰌

loach (fish)

Etymology

The name combines 仏 (hotoke, 'Buddha') and 泥鰌 (dojō, 'loach'), possibly from its calm, Buddha-like appearance or behavior. The exact origin is uncertain.