1.
giraffe
A tall African mammal with a very long neck and legs, and distinctive spotted coat.
麒麟は世界で一番背の高い動物です。
The giraffe is the tallest animal in the world.
子供たちは動物園で麒麟に餌をやりました。
The children fed the giraffes at the zoo.
麒麟の首は約2メートルあります。
A giraffe's neck is about 2 meters long.
2.
qilin (mythical creature)
A legendary creature in East Asian mythology, often depicted with dragon-like features. Sometimes translated as "Chinese unicorn."
麒麟は中国の伝説に登場する動物だ。
The qilin is a creature that appears in Chinese legend.
麒麟は平和の象徴とされている。
The qilin is considered a symbol of peace.
麒麟ビールのラベルには伝説の麒麟が描かれている。
The mythical qilin is depicted on the Kirin Beer label.
麒麟 has two meanings:
1. The animal (giraffe) - usually written in katakana (キリン) in modern usage
2. The mythical creature (麒麟) - a benevolent beast in Chinese/Japanese mythology
The giraffe was named 麒麟 in Japanese because early travelers thought it resembled the mythical creature.
キリン is also a famous Japanese beer brand, using the mythical 麒麟 as its logo.
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