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ニオイネズミ (においねずみ) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

ニオイネズミ

に

お

い

ね

ず

み

Meanings

1

muskrat

usually written using kana alone

Refers to the muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus), a semiaquatic rodent known for its musky odor.

See also: マスクラット

ニオイネズミは北きたアメリカ原げん産さんのげっ

歯し

類るい

です

。

The muskrat is a rodent native to North America.

Kanji

臭stinking, ill-smelling, suspicious looking
鼠rat, mouse, dark gray

Related words

マスクラット
マスクラット is a direct loanword from English 'muskrat', while ニオイネズミ is a Japanese calque meaning 'smell mouse'.

Written forms

ニオイネズミ
kana-only spelling
Katakana spelling is common for this animal name.
臭におい鼠ねずみUsage100%
Kanji spelling is rare; the word is usually written in kana.

Etymology

Compound of 匂い (nioi, 'smell, odor') and 鼠 (nezumi, 'mouse, rat'), referring to the animal's musky scent.