(さんしょううお)

さんしょううお
noun
salamander
1. salamander
An amphibian with a long body, tail, and short legs, living in cool, damp environments. The giant salamander of Japan is a protected national treasure.
山椒魚(さんしょううお)両生類(りょうせいるい)だ。
Salamanders are amphibians.
清流(せいりゅう)には(ちい)さな山椒魚(さんしょううお)()んでいる。
Small salamanders live in clear mountain streams.
大山椒魚(おおさんしょううお)特別天然記念物(とくべつてんねんきねんぶつ)指定(してい)されている。
The Japanese giant salamander is designated as a special natural monument.

Literally "sansho-pepper fish," reportedly from the smell the animal gives off when handled. Lives in cool, clear streams; the species 大山椒魚(おおさんしょううお) (Japanese giant salamander) is the world's largest amphibian and a famous protected species.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 大山椒魚(おおさんしょううお): Japanese giant salamander
  • 山椒魚(さんしょううお)生息地(せいそくち): salamander habitat

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • イモリ: newt — smaller; spends more time in water; common in Japan as アカハライモリ
  • ヤモリ: gecko — reptile, not an amphibian; despite the similar name and look, ヤモリ lives on walls and is unrelated to salamanders