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メンダコ (めんだこ) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

メンダコ

Meanings

1

noun

flapjack octopus; pancake devilfish

usually written using kana alone

A species of octopus (Opisthoteuthis depressa) known for its flattened, pancake-like appearance.

メンダコは深しん海かいに生せい息そくする珍めずらしいタコの一いっ種しゅだ。
The flapjack octopus is a rare type of octopus that lives in the deep sea.

Written forms

メンダコ
kana-only spelling
Usually written in katakana; the kanji form 面蛸 is rare.
面めん蛸だこ
Kanji form; rarely used in practice.

Kanji

面mask, face, features
蛸octopus

Etymology

Compound of 面 (men, 'face') and 蛸 (tako, 'octopus'), referring to its flattened, face-like appearance. The exact derivation is uncertain.