How to say "alligator" in Japanese

• わに
  nounThe general word for these reptiles, covering both crocodiles and alligators; usually written in kana. Choose it whenever the distinction between crocodile and alligator does not matter.
  彼かれの足あしはワニにかまれた。↗

  His leg was bitten by a crocodile.
• アリゲーター
  nounThe loanword for the alligator specifically. Use it when you need to distinguish an alligator from a crocodile, as in a zoo sign or nature documentary.
• 鰐魚がくぎょ
  nounA technical term for crocodilians as a group — crocodiles, alligators and their relatives — rather than a name for one animal; it suits scientific or reference contexts.
• 鰐口わにぐち
  nounLiterally 'crocodile mouth'. As a word for the animal it is seldom what you want; the word is better known as the name of the flat bell hung at Shinto shrines.

Use 「わに」 for the animal in general, 「アリゲーター」 when distinguishing alligators from crocodiles, 鰐魚 in technical writing about crocodilians, and 鰐口 rarely, since it is better known as a shrine bell.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• わにcrocodile
• アリゲーターalligator
• 鰐魚がくぎょcrocodile
• 鰐口わにぐちalligator