noun
Poetic or literary term for frog, often used in classical poetry and haiku. In modern everyday language, かえる is the standard word.
古池や かわず飛び込む 水の音
The old pond — a frog jumps in, the sound of water.
noun
Specifically refers to the kajika frog (カジカガエル), a species known for its beautiful singing. This usage is also poetic and rare; in modern contexts, the katakana name カジカガエル is more common.
See also: カジカガエル
かわずの声が川辺に響く。
The voice of the kajika frog echoes along the riverside.
An older native Japanese word for frog, now largely replaced by かえる in everyday speech. The exact derivation is uncertain.