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.

センザンコウ (せんざんこう) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

センザンコウ

せ

ん

ざ

ん

こ

う

Meanings

1

pangolin; scaly anteater

usually written using kana alone

Refers to the animal; the katakana form センザンコウ is the usual written form.

センザンコウは絶ぜつ滅めつ危き惧ぐ種しゅに指し定ていされて

いる

。

Pangolins are designated as an endangered species.

Kanji

穿put on (to the feet), dig, pierce
山mountain
甲armor, high (voice), A grade

Word family

ミミセンザンコウ
Chinese pangolin

Written forms

センザンコウ
kana-only spelling
Katakana spelling is standard for this animal name; usually written in kana.
穿せん山ざん甲こう
Kanji spelling is rare and mainly encountered in scientific or literary contexts.

Etymology

The Japanese word センザンコウ is derived from Chinese 穿山甲 (chuānshānjiǎ), literally 'mountain-penetrating armor', referring to the pangolin's scales and burrowing behavior.