河馬(かば)

かば
noun
hippopotamus
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(かば)は水(みず)の中(なか)で過(す)ごすことが多(おお)いです。
Hippos spend much of their time in the water.
動物園(どうぶつえん)で河馬(かば)が大(おお)きな口(くち)を開(あ)けていました。
The hippo was opening its large mouth at the zoo.
河馬(かば)は見(み)た目(め)より危険(きけん)な動物(どうぶつ)です。
Hippos are more dangerous animals than they appear.
河馬(かば)は草(くさ)を食(た)べます。
Hippos eat grass.
河馬(かば)の赤(あか)ちゃんが動物園(どうぶつえん)で生(う)まれて、大(おお)きな話題(わだい)になった。
A baby hippo was born at the zoo and became a big topic of conversation.

河馬(かば) literally means "river horse" (河(かわ) = river, 馬(うま) = 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

Counter: 頭(とう)

core
Added 2026.1.14 22:31 · Revised 2026.6.4 1:09
04500/04945_kaba