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ウシガエル (うしがえる) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

ウシガエル

う

し

が

え

る

Freq.FrequencyTop 100,000

Meanings

1

American bullfrog

usually written using kana alone

Refers specifically to the American bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus), an invasive species in Japan known for its loud, cow-like call.

ウシガエルは日本にほんでは外がい来らい種しゅとして知しら

れ

て

いる

。

The American bullfrog is known as an invasive species in Japan.

Kanji

牛cow
蛙frog

Word family

アフリカウシガエル
African bullfrog

Built from

牛うし+カエル

Written forms

ウシガエルUsage89%
kana-only spelling
Standard katakana spelling, as is typical for many animal names.
牛うし蛙がえるUsage11%
Kanji spelling exists but is rarely used; the word is almost always written in kana.

Etymology

Compound of 牛 (ushi, 'cow') + 蛙 (kaeru, 'frog'), from its deep, cow-like call. The exact origin of the name is uncertain but likely a calque or direct translation of the English 'bullfrog'.