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オサガメ (おさがめ) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

オサガメ

Meanings

1

noun

leatherback turtle

usually written using kana alone

A species of sea turtle (Dermochelys coriacea). The name is usually written in katakana.

オサガメは世せ界かい最さい大だいの海うみ亀がめです。
The leatherback turtle is the largest sea turtle in the world.
オサガメは絶ぜつ滅めつ危き惧ぐ種しゅに指し定ていされています。
The leatherback turtle is designated as an endangered species.

Written forms

オサガメ
kana-only spelling
Katakana spelling is standard for this animal name; the word is usually written in kana.
おさがめUsage100%
Hiragana spelling, also common.
長おさ亀がめ
Rare kanji form; the first character means 'long' and the second 'turtle'.
革亀おさがめ
rarely-used kanji form
Rare kanji form; the first character means 'leather' and the second 'turtle'.

Kanji

長long, leader, superior
亀tortoise, turtle
革leather, skin, reform

Etymology

The name likely derives from the leathery texture of its shell, with おさ (osa) possibly related to 瘡 (kasa, 'skin disease') or an old word for 'leather', and がめ (game) meaning 'turtle'. The exact origin is uncertain.