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トカゲ Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Meanings 1
noun
lizard
usually written using kana alone
General term for lizards; commonly refers to small reptiles seen in gardens and walls.
2
noun
skink
usually written using kana alone
Specifically refers to skinks (family Scincidae), a type of lizard with smooth, shiny scales.
Written forms トカゲ Usage 72%
kana-only spelling
Katakana spelling is the most common written form for this word.
蜥蜴とかげ Usage 11%
gikun (meaning-based reading) or jukujikun
Kanji form is rarely used; the word is usually written in kana.
蜥蝪とかげ Usage 9%
search-only kanji form
gikun (meaning-based reading) or jukujikun
Search-only kanji form; not used in modern writing.
とかげ Usage 8%
gikun (meaning-based reading) or jukujikun
Hiragana spelling is also used, but less common than katakana.
石竜子とかげ
rarely-used kanji form gikun (meaning-based reading) or jukujikun
Rarely used kanji form.
蝘蜓とかげ
rarely-used kanji form gikun (meaning-based reading) or jukujikun
Rarely used kanji form.
Kanji 子 child, sign of the rat, 11PM-1AM 蜓 dragonfly, millipede, lizard Similar words ヤモリ ヤモリ refers to geckos, which are a different type of lizard often found on walls and ceilings, while トカゲ is a broader term for lizards including skinks.
イモリ イモリ is a newt, an amphibian, not a reptile like トカゲ.
Etymology The origin is uncertain. The katakana spelling トカゲ is standard, and the kanji 蜥蜴 are Chinese characters used for 'lizard' but rarely used in Japanese.