1.
hippopotamus, hippo
A large semiaquatic mammal native to sub-Saharan Africa, known for spending much of its time in rivers and lakes.
河馬は水の中で過ごすことが多いです。
Hippos spend much of their time in the water.
動物園で河馬が大きな口を開けていました。
The hippo was opening its large mouth at the zoo.
河馬は見た目より危険な動物です。
Hippos are more dangerous animals than they appear.
河馬は草を食べます。
Hippos eat grass.
河馬の赤ちゃんが動物園で生まれて、大きな話題になった。
A baby hippo was born at the zoo and became a big topic of conversation.
河馬 literally means "river horse" (河 = river, 馬 = horse), similar to the Greek origin of "hippopotamus."
The kanji is often written in hiragana (かば) or katakana (カバ) in everyday use.
Hippo characteristics:
- Can hold breath underwater for up to 5 minutes
- Despite their bulk, can run at 30 km/h
- One of Africa's most dangerous animals
- Herbivorous, eating mainly grass
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