Explore Words Kanji Grammar Guides

Copyright © 2026 Kotomora. All Rights Reserved.

Get the Kotomora apps for iOS and Android.

Explore Words Kanji Grammar Guides About Support Privacy

Copyright © 2026 Kotomora. All Rights Reserved.

イワシクジラ (いわしくじら) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

イワシクジラ

い

わ

し

く

じ

ら

Meanings

1

sei whale

usually written using kana alone

A species of baleen whale (Balaenoptera borealis).

イワシクジラはナガスクジラに似にているが、やや小ちいさい。

The sei whale resembles the fin whale but is slightly smaller.

Kanji

鰯sardine, (kokuji)
鯨whale

Related words

ナガスクジラ
Fin whale; larger than the sei whale and with asymmetrical coloration.
ミンククジラ
Minke whale; much smaller and more commonly seen near coasts.

Word family

コイワシクジラ
minke whale; piked whale

Built from

イワシ+鯨くじら

Written forms

イワシクジラUsage100%
kana-only spelling
Standard katakana spelling for this animal name.
鰯いわし鯨くじら
Kanji spelling is rare; the word is usually written in kana.

Etymology

Compound of 鰯 (いわし, 'sardine') + 鯨 (くじら, 'whale'), likely referring to its diet or the sardine-like appearance of its baleen. The exact origin is uncertain.