海象
Chinese
ocean; sea | shape; form; appearance shape; form; appearance; elephant; image under a map (maths) | ||
---|---|---|---|
trad. (海象) | 海 | 象 | |
simp. #(海象) | 海 | 象 |
Pronunciation
Derived terms
- 海象牙 (hǎixiàngyá)
Japanese
Etymology 1

Kanji in this term | |
---|---|
海 | 象 |
Grade: 2 | Grade: 5 |
irregular |
Alternative spelling |
---|
海象 (kyūjitai) |
Borrowed from Russian сивуч (sivuč, “Steller sea lion”).[1][2][3][4][5]
The kanji are jukujikun (熟字訓), from Middle Chinese 海象. See kaizō below.
Usage notes
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”).
Etymology 2
Kanji in this term | |
---|---|
海 | 象 |
かい Grade: 2 |
ぞう Grade: 5 |
on’yomi |
Alternative spelling |
---|
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.
Usage notes
This reading is much less common than seiuchi.
Etymology 3
Kanji in this term | |
---|---|
海 | 象 |
かい Grade: 2 |
しょう Grade: 5 |
on’yomi |
Alternative spelling |
---|
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.
References
- Shōgaku Tosho (1988) 国語大辞典(新装版) [Unabridged Dictionary of Japanese (Revised Edition)] (in Japanese), Tōkyō: Shogakukan, →ISBN
- Matsumura, Akira (1995) 大辞泉 [Daijisen] (in Japanese), First edition, Tōkyō: Shogakukan, →ISBN
- Shinmura, Izuru, editor (1998), 広辞苑 [Kōjien] (in Japanese), Fifth edition, Tōkyō: Iwanami Shoten, →ISBN
- Matsumura, Akira, editor (2006), 大辞林 [Daijirin] (in Japanese), Third edition, Tōkyō: Sanseidō, →ISBN
- Kindaichi, Kyōsuke et al., editors (1997), 新明解国語辞典 [Shin Meikai Kokugo Jiten] (in Japanese), Fifth edition, Tōkyō: Sanseidō, →ISBN