1.
whale
A large marine mammal that breathes air through blowholes. Whales have significant cultural and historical importance in Japan.
船から鯨が潮を吹くのが見えた。
We could see a whale spouting water from the boat.
鯨は海で最も大きな動物だ。
Whales are the largest animals in the ocean.
子供の頃は給食に鯨の肉が出ることがあった。
When I was a child, whale meat was sometimes served in school lunches.
鯨 refers to whales in general.
Common expressions:
- 鯨肉 (whale meat)
- 鯨油 (whale oil)
- 捕鯨 (whaling)
- 鯨を飲む (to swallow a whale - to do something impossible)
Types of whales:
- シロナガス鯨 (blue whale)
- ザトウ鯨 (humpback whale)
- マッコウ鯨 (sperm whale)
Counter: 頭
Cultural note:
Whale meat has been consumed in Japan for centuries, and some coastal towns have whale festivals. However, international controversy over whaling has made this a sensitive topic. Many younger Japanese have never eaten whale meat.