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ツメガエル (つめがえる) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

ツメガエル

つ

め

が

え

る

Meanings

1

noun

African clawed frog

usually written using kana alone

Refers specifically to Xenopus laevis, a species widely used in biological research and sometimes kept as a pet.

ツメガエルは実じっ験けん動どう物ぶつとしてよく使つかわれる。
The African clawed frog is often used as a laboratory animal.

Written forms

ツメガエルUsage100%
kana-only spelling
Katakana spelling is standard for this species name; usually written in kana.
爪つめ蛙がえる
Kanji spelling exists but is rarely used; the katakana form is strongly preferred.

Kanji

爪claw, nail, talon
蛙

frog

Etymology

Compound of 爪 (tsume, 'claw') and 蛙 (kaeru, 'frog'), referring to the claws on its hind feet. The katakana spelling reflects its status as a biological species name.