トナカイ

となかい
noun
reindeer; caribou
animal-mammal
1. reindeer; caribou
The arctic deer known in English as reindeer or caribou. Like many animal names, it is conventionally written in katakana.
A reindeer runs through the snow.
サンタクローストナカイそり()
Santa Claus rides a reindeer sleigh.
There are herds of reindeer near the Arctic.

The reindeer (also called caribou), a deer native to arctic and subarctic regions. Like most animal names, it is conventionally written in katakana.

Cultural note

In Japan トナカイ is strongly associated with Christmas and サンタクロース (Santa Claus), from the Western image of reindeer pulling his sleigh.

Related words

  • 鹿(しか): deer — the general word for deer
  • そり: sleigh, sled — what reindeer are pictured pulling

Related Words