セミクジラ

セ

ミ

ク

ジ

ラ

Meanings

noun

North Pacific right whale

usually written using kana alone

A specific species of baleen whale (Eubalaena japonica) found in the North Pacific. The name is often written in katakana.

セミクジラ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。
The North Pacific right whale is designated as an endangered species.

See all 2 example sentences ›

Kanji

背stature, height, back
美beauty, beautiful
鯨whale

Related words

セミイルカ
セミイルカ refers to the northern right whale dolphin, a different cetacean. The prefix セミ (from 背美) is shared but the animals are distinct.

Word family

ミナミセミクジラ
southern right whale
コセミクジラ
pygmy right whale

Written forms

セミクジラUsage100%
kana-only spelling
Usually written in katakana; the kanji form 背美鯨 is rare and mainly found in older or specialized texts.
背せ美み鯨くじら
Rare kanji spelling; learners will almost always encounter the katakana form.
せみくじら

Etymology

The name セミクジラ is thought to derive from 背美 (semi, 'beautiful back') + 鯨 (kujira, 'whale'), referring to the whale's smooth, dark back. The exact historical origin is uncertain.