ヤンマ

noun

darner; Aeshnidae dragonfly

Specifically refers to dragonflies of the family Aeshnidae, known as darners in English. In everyday Japanese, ヤンマ often broadly means any large dragonfly.

• 池いけの上うえを大おおきなヤンマが飛とんでいた。

  A large darner was flying over the pond.

noun

large dragonfly

Commonly used for any large dragonfly, not strictly limited to Aeshnidae. Often appears in children's speech and nature observation.

• 夏なつになると、庭にわにヤンマがよく来くる。

  In summer, large dragonflies often come to our garden.

• 子こ供どもたちがヤンマを追おいかけている。

  The children are chasing a large dragonfly.