Kanji 象 elephant, pattern after, imitate Related words アザラシ アザラシ is the general term for 'seal', while ゾウアザラシ specifically refers to the elephant seal, a much larger species with a distinctive trunk-like nose.
キタゾウアザラシ キタゾウアザラシ is the northern elephant seal (Mirounga angustirostris), one of the two species of elephant seal.
ミナミゾウアザラシ ミナミゾウアザラシ is the southern elephant seal (Mirounga leonina), the other species of elephant seal.
Word family northern elephant seal
southern elephant seal
Written forms ゾウアザラシ Usage 100%
kana-only spelling
Katakana spelling is the most common written form.
象ぞう 海豹あざらし
Kanji spelling is rare; the word is usually written in kana.
ぞうあざらし
Hiragana spelling is also used, especially in informal contexts.
Etymology Compound of 象 (ぞう , 'elephant') and 海豹 (あざらし , 'seal'), referring to the elephant-like trunk of the male. The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the name is descriptive.
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