Copyright © 2026 Kotomora. All Rights Reserved.

Words Kanji Guides About

ザトウクジラ

ざ

と

う

く

じ

ら

Freq.FrequencyTop 100,000

Meanings

1

noun

humpback whale

usually written using kana alone

Refers specifically to the species Megaptera novaeangliae. Typically written in katakana as is common for animal names.

ザトウクジラは夏なつに北きたの海うみで餌えさを食たべる。
Humpback whales feed in northern seas during the summer.
ホエールウォッチングでザトウクジラを見みた。
I saw a humpback whale on a whale-watching tour.

Written forms

ザトウクジラ
kana-only spelling
Common katakana spelling for this whale species; usually written in kana.
座ざ頭とう鯨くじら
rarely-used kanji form
Rarely used kanji form.

Kanji

座squat, seat, cushion
頭head, counter for large animals
鯨whale

Similar words

シロナガスクジラ
Blue whale, a different species; much larger and less commonly seen.
クジラ
General term for whale; ザトウクジラ is a specific species.

Etymology

The name 座頭 (ざとう) refers to a blind masseur or a low-ranking blind person in historical Japan, possibly from the whale's hump resembling a seated figure. The exact origin is uncertain.