熊(くま)

くま

noun

bear

1. bear

A large, powerful mammal found in mountainous regions of Japan. Both brown bears (Hokkaido) and Asian black bears (Honshu) live in Japan.

熊(くま)は冬眠(とうみん)する動物(どうぶつ)だ。

Bears are animals that hibernate.

熊(くま)が里(さと)に下(お)りてきたというニュースがあった。

There was news that bears had come down to the village.

山(やま)を歩(ある)くときは熊(くま)よけの鈴(すず)を持(も)っていったほうがいい。

When hiking in the mountains, you should bring a bear bell.

熊(くま) refers to bears.

Types in Japan:

ヒグマ (brown bear) - found in Hokkaido
ツキノワグマ (月(つき)の輪(わ)熊(ぐま)) - Asian black bear, found in Honshu/Shikoku

Common expressions:

熊(くま)よけの鈴(すず) (bear bell - hikers wear these)
熊(くま)が出(で)る (bears appear - warning sign in mountains)
熊(くま)のぬいぐるみ (teddy bear, stuffed bear)

Counter: 頭(とう)

Safety note:
Bear encounters have increased in Japan as bears venture into residential areas seeking food. Hikers are advised to wear bells, make noise, and know how to respond to bear encounters. Warning signs (熊(くま)出没(しゅつぼつ)注意(ちゅうい)) are common on mountain trails.

general

Added 2026.1.14 20:02 · Revised 2026.5.31 6:10

04000/04343_kuma