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Words Kanji Guides About

リス (りす) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

リス

り

す

Freq.FrequencyTop 20,000

Meanings

1

noun

squirrel

usually written using kana alone

General term for any squirrel (family Sciuridae).

公こう園えんでリスが木きの実みを食たべている。
A squirrel is eating nuts in the park.

2

noun

Japanese squirrel

usually written using kana alone

Specifically the Japanese squirrel (Sciurus lis), a species native to Japan. Often distinguished as ニホンリス in scientific contexts.

See also: 日本栗鼠

ニホンリスは本ほん州しゅうと四し国こくに生せい息そくしている。
The Japanese squirrel inhabits Honshu and Shikoku.

Written forms

リスUsage74%
kana-only spelling
Katakana is the most common spelling for this animal name.
りすUsage19%
Hiragana spelling is also used, especially in children's materials.
栗鼠りすUsage7%
Kanji spelling is rare and literary; the word is usually written in kana.

Kanji

栗chestnut
鼠rat, mouse, dark gray

Similar words

シマリス
Refers specifically to chipmunks (genus Tamias), which are smaller and have stripes on their backs.
ムササビ
The Japanese giant flying squirrel, a different rodent that glides between trees.

Etymology

The kanji 栗鼠 literally means 'chestnut mouse/rat', reflecting the squirrel's appearance and diet. The reading りす is likely a native Japanese word, but its exact origin is uncertain.