ocean; sea | shape; form; appearance shape; form; appearance; elephant; image under a map (maths) | ||
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trad. (海象) | 海 | 象 | |
simp. #(海象) | 海 | 象 |
海象
Kanji in this term | |
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海 | 象 |
せいうち | |
Grade: 2 | Grade: 5 |
jukujikun |
Alternative spelling |
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海象 (kyūjitai) |
Borrowed from Russian сивуч (sivuč, “Steller sea lion”).
The kanji are jukujikun (熟字訓), from Middle Chinese 海象. See kaizō below.
As with many terms that name organisms, this term is often spelled in katakana, especially in biological contexts (where katakana is customary), as セイウチ. Not to be confused with 象海豹 (zō azarashi, “elephant seal”).
Kanji in this term | |
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海 | 象 |
かい Grade: 2 |
ぞう Grade: 5 |
on'yomi |
Alternative spelling |
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海象 (kyūjitai) |
/kaizau/ → /kaizɔː/ → /kaizoː/
From Middle Chinese 海象 (xojX zjangX, literally “sea elephant”). Compare Cantonese 海象 (hoi2 zoeng6), Vietnamese hải tượng.
The goon reading, so likely the initial borrowing.
This reading is much less common than seiuchi.
Kanji in this term | |
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海 | 象 |
かい Grade: 2 |
しょう Grade: 5 |
on'yomi |
Alternative spelling |
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海象 (kyūjitai) |
/kaiɕau/ → /kaiɕɔː/ → /kaiɕoː/
From Middle Chinese 海象 (xojX zjangX, literally “sea + phenomenon”). Alternatively, may have been coined in Japan as a compound of Middle Chinese-derived roots.
The kan'on reading, so likely either a later borrowing, or a later innovation in Japan.
海象 • (kaishō) ←かいしやう (kaisyau)?
Hanja in this term | |
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海 | 象 |