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:

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

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 2026.7.21 0:25
06500/06561_azarashi