アザラシ

あざらし
noun
seal (animal)
1. seal
A marine mammal with flippers, found in cold waters worldwide. Known for their sleek bodies and whiskered faces.
アザラシが岩(いわ)の上(うえ)で日向(ひなた)ぼっこをしている。
The seal is basking in the sun on the rock.
水族館(すいぞくかん)でアザラシのショーを見(み)た。
I watched a seal show at the aquarium.
アザラシは魚(さかな)を食(た)べて生活(せいかつ)している。
Seals live by eating fish.

KANJI WRITING:
Can also be written as 海豹(あざらし) (sea + leopard), though the katakana form is more common.

CONTRAST:

  • アザラシ (seal) - no external ear flaps, move by wriggling on land
  • アシカ (sea lion) - has external ear flaps, can walk on flippers
  • オットセイ (fur seal) - has external ear flaps, thicker fur

RELATED VOCABULARY:

  • 海洋(かいよう)哺乳類(ほにゅうるい) (marine mammal)
  • 鰭(ひれ) (flipper)
  • 髭(ひげ) (whiskers)

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • アザラシの赤(あか)ちゃん (baby seal)
  • アザラシを保護(ほご)する (to protect seals)
  • アザラシの群(む)れ (a group of seals)

POPULAR IN JAPAN:
Seals are popular animals at Japanese aquariums and zoos. ゴマフアザラシ(spotted seal) is a common species seen in Japanese facilities.

general
Added 2026.1.18 9:31 · Revised 2026.1.19 21:17
06500/06561_azarashi