Japanese Word for
パンダpanda
panda · giant panda
Written as
Context
Panda is written in katakana (パンダ) as a foreign loanword. The kanji 熊猫 (bear-cat) is rarely used in Japan but shows the word's Chinese origin. Japan is famous for its love of giant pandas — Ueno Zoo's pandas attract enormous crowds.
Example words
ジャイアントパンダ
jaianto panda
giant panda
レッサーパンダ
ressā panda
red panda (lesser panda)
パンダ外交
panda gaikō
panda diplomacy
パンダ目
panda-me
panda eyes (dark circles under eyes)
Japan has a deep emotional attachment to giant pandas. Ueno Zoo in Tokyo regularly makes national news when its pandas give birth. China uses パンダ外交 (panda gaikō — panda diplomacy) to strengthen ties with Japan — loaning pandas as diplomatic gifts. レッサーパンダ (red panda), despite sharing the name, is a completely different animal — and equally beloved in Japan.
Hiragana and katakana are the keys to reading Japanese. Our free trainers get them locked in fast.