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ヒョウモンダコ (ひょうもんだこ) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

ヒョウモンダコ

Meanings

1

noun

blue-ringed octopus

usually written using kana alone

Specifically refers to the blue-lined octopus (Hapalochlaena fasciata) and related species. Known for its potent venom.

ヒョウモンダコは小ちいさくても猛もう毒どくを持もつ。
The blue-ringed octopus is small but highly venomous.
潮しおだまりでヒョウモンダコを見みつけたら、絶ぜっ対たいに触さわらないでください。
If you find a blue-ringed octopus in a tide pool, do not touch it under any circumstances.

Written forms

ヒョウモンダコ
kana-only spelling
Katakana spelling is the most common written form for this animal name.
豹ひょう紋もん蛸だこ
rarely-used kanji form
Rarely used kanji form; the word is usually written in kana.

Kanji

豹leopard, panther
紋

family crest, figures

蛸octopus

Etymology

The name ヒョウモンダコ (豹紋蛸) literally means 'leopard-pattern octopus', referring to the blue rings that resemble leopard spots. The exact historical derivation is uncertain.