(しまうま)

しまうま
noun
zebra
1. zebra
An African wild horse with distinctive black and white striped coat.
縞馬(しまうま)(しま)一頭(いっとう)ずつ(ちが)います。
Each zebra has a unique stripe pattern.
サバンナで縞馬(しまうま)()れを()ました。
We saw a herd of zebras on the savanna.
縞馬(しまうま)(うま)()ていますが(べつ)動物(どうぶつ)です。
Zebras look like horses but are different animals.
縞馬(しまうま)はアフリカに()んでいます。
Zebras live in Africa.
縞馬(しまうま)(しろ)(くろ)(しま)は、ライオンなどの(てき)から()(まも)役割(やくわり)があると()われている。
The black and white stripes of zebras are said to help protect them from predators like lions.

縞馬(しまうま) literally means "striped horse" ((しま) = stripe, (うま) = horse).

Often written in katakana (シマウマ) in modern usage.

Facts about zebras:

  • Each zebra's stripe pattern is unique, like fingerprints
  • The stripes may help with camouflage and confusing predators
  • They are not domesticated and cannot be ridden like horses

横断歩道(おうだんほどう) (pedestrian crossing) is sometimes called 「シマウマ」 informally because of its stripes.

Counter: (とう)