Copyright © 2026 Kotomora. All Rights Reserved.

Words Kanji Guides About

サンカノゴイ (さんかのごい) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

サンカノゴイ

さ

ん

か

の

ご

い

Meanings

1

noun

Eurasian bittern; great bittern

usually written using kana alone

A species of heron (Botaurus stellaris) found in wetlands across Eurasia. In Japanese, the name is usually written in katakana.

サンカノゴイは葦あし原はらに隠かくれていることが多おおい。
The Eurasian bittern often hides in reed beds.
バードウォッチングでサンカノゴイを見み

つけ

た

。

I spotted a great bittern while birdwatching.

Written forms

サンカノゴイ
kana-only spelling
Katakana spelling is standard for this bird name; usually written in kana.
山家五位さんかのごい
rarely-used kanji form
Rare kanji form; it is rarely used.
山さん家かの五ご位い
rarely-used kanji form
Rare kanji form with の; it is rarely used.

Kanji

山mountain
家house, home, family
五five
位rank, grade, throne

Etymology

The name サンカノゴイ (山家の五位) literally means 'mountain house's fifth rank', but the exact origin is uncertain. It may refer to an old court rank or a folk etymology.