noun
eared seal; sea lion
Refers to eared seals, especially the California sea lion (Zalophus californianus). Often contrasted with アザラシ (earless seal).
See also: アザラシ
水族館でアシカのショーを見た。
I saw a sea lion show at the aquarium.
アシカは耳たぶがあるのでアザラシと区別できる。
You can tell sea lions apart from seals because they have external ear flaps.
Rarely used kanji form.
Rarely used kanji form; also read かいば (hippocampus) or うみうま (sea horse).
The word あしか is of uncertain origin. It may be related to 足 (あし, 'foot') and 鹿 (か, 'deer'), but this is speculative. The kanji forms 海驢, 葦鹿, and 海馬 are ateji and rarely used.