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ゴンドウクジラ (ごんどうくじら) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
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Pilot whales travel in pods.
I saw a pilot whale show at the aquarium.
Kanji 頭 head, counter for large animals Related words イルカ イルカ is the general term for dolphins and smaller Delphinidae, while ゴンドウクジラ refers specifically to larger species like pilot whales.
クジラ クジラ is the broad term for whales; ゴンドウクジラ is a specific type within the dolphin family, not a true whale.
Written forms ゴンドウクジラ
kana-only spelling
Katakana spelling is standard for this animal name; usually written in kana.
巨頭鯨ごんどうくじら
rarely-used kanji form
Rarely used kanji form.
Etymology The name ゴンドウクジラ likely derives from 巨頭 (ごんどう, 'huge head') + 鯨 (くじら, 'whale'), referring to the bulbous head of pilot whales. The exact historical origin is uncertain.
