How do you say "sea lion" in Japanese?

アシカ

ashika

Noun Katakana

In Japanese, "sea lion" is アシカ (ashika).

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Pronunciation

アシカ is written using katakana. Romanised as ashika, it sounds roughly like "ah-shee-kah" to an English ear.

Writing and usage

Ashika is katakana, though it may have originated from native Japanese or Chinese sources. It's the standard term for sea lions in zoos and marine contexts.

Example sentence

アシカが草原を走っています。

Ashika ga sogen wo hashitte imasu.

A sea lion is running across the field.

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How to remember アシカ

Ashika has a flowing sound with repeated 'a' and 'i'. Picture a marine mammal with flippers and whiskers.

Related words

Browse all Japanese words in the glossary.

See more beach words.

Questions about アシカ

How do you pronounce アシカ?

アシカ is romanised as ashika. Say it roughly like "ah-shee-kah" in English. Each Japanese syllable has even weight, so keep the rhythm steady.

Is アシカ formal or casual?

アシカ is a neutral, everyday word that works in both casual and polite speech. The level of formality comes from the sentence structure around it, not from the word itself.

How is アシカ written in Japanese?

アシカ is written using katakana. Ashika is katakana, though it may have originated from native Japanese or Chinese sources.

Where can I practice Japanese words for free?

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"Sea lion" in other languages

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