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Words Kanji Guides About

イノシシ (いのしし) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

イノシシ

い

の

し

し

Common wordFreq.FrequencyTop 20,000

Meanings

1

noun

usually written using kana alone

Refers to the animal Sus scrofa, commonly encountered in rural and mountainous areas of Japan.

山やまでイノシシに遭そう遇ぐうした。
I encountered a wild boar in the mountains.
イノシシは夜や行こう性せいの動どう物ぶつ

だ

。

Wild boars are nocturnal animals.

Written forms

イノシシUsage58%
kana-only spelling
The word is usually written in katakana; this is the most common practical spelling.
猪いのししUsage37%
Kanji form is used but less common than katakana; learners may encounter it in literature or signs.
いのししUsage5%
Hiragana spelling is also seen, especially in children's materials or casual writing.

Kanji

猪boar

Similar words

豚ぶた
豚 refers to domestic pigs, while イノシシ refers specifically to wild boars.

Etymology

The word is native Japanese, combining い (prefix of uncertain origin) and のしし (old word for wild boar). The katakana spelling is now standard.