English to Japanese: Learn Animal Words and Phrases

Animal words feature prominently in the Japanese language. To help cover this important topic, here is our English to Japanese listing of Japanese animal names. The entries contain a variety of versions including translations in English, Romaji, Hiragana, Katakana, and Kanji.

Below the main list of Japanese animal names, you will find a section that lists a few animals found in Japanese folklore including Kawauso (the Japanese River Otter), Kitsune (the Japanese Fox), and Tanuki (the Japanese Raccoon Dog).

English to Japanese Animal Words and Phrases:

Whether you are learning about Japanese animal words in Japan, taking an online Japanese class, or plan to enrol yourself in Japanese language immersion school, our English to Japanese dictionary is always being updated with new Japanese animal words which makes it an excellent supplement for those trying to learn how to speak Japanese.

View this list of Japanese animal words with translations from: Japanese to English or English to Japanese

Words in bold added during the last update.

General Animal Words from English to Japanese:

Names of the Animals from English to Japanese:

English to Japanese Sentences with Animal References:

Japanese Animals in Folklore:

Japanese folklore is filled with many kinds of interesting animal stories. Below are a few such animals that feature very prominently in folklore found across several regions in Japan.

Kawauso, the Japanese River Otter

In Japanese folklore, Kawauso are Japanese river otters who into their old age, develop certain magical powers. These magical powers include (but are not limited to) the ability to transform into various human beings, with an uncanny ability to mimic human sounds in order to play tricks on them. Some Kawauso will even transform into seductive young women to play tricks on unsuspecting young men.

Kitsune, the Japanese Fox

In Japanese folklore, Kitsune are considered to be long-lived foxes with magical powers (like shapeshifting) that appear at a certain age and level of wisdom and grow stronger as the fox matures. Kitsune are often described with having up to nine tails, with higher tail numbers reserved for older, more powerful foxes. Kitsune are generally divided into two groups - yako (the "field foxes") are mischievous and even sometimes malicious and zenko (the "good foxes") who are benevolent creatures.

Tanuki, the Japanese Raccoon Dog

Tanuki in Japanese folklore are believed to be masters of disguise who can shapeshift into almost anything, including humans. Further yet, by some accounts, Tanuki can even possess humans if they so choose. They are generally considered mischievous, but joyful creatures, while sometimes a bit on the absent-minded side. Tanuki sometimes enjoy living as transformed humans for extended periods of time and may even live a near lifetime's worth as a transformed human.

*English to Japanese animals updated: December 21, 2024.

Next Up

Colors: Learn how to say color words in Japanese.

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