gecko; house lizard
Common small lizard often seen on walls and ceilings in Japanese homes. The name ヤモリ (家守) literally means 'house protector' because it was believed to guard homes.
At night, a gecko appears on the wall.
ヤモリは害虫を食べてくれる。
Geckos eat harmful insects for us.
Katakana spelling is common for this animal name; usually written in kana.
Hiragana spelling, also common.
Kanji spelling; rarely used in modern Japanese. The reading しゅきゅう is also possible for this form but is very rare.
Alternate kanji spelling; rarely used.
From 家守 (yamori), literally 'house protector', from the belief that geckos guard homes. The reading やもり is a sound shift from いえもり (iemori).