How to say "donkey" in Japanese

• ろば
  nounThe word for the animal itself, also glossed 'ass'. It is normally written in kana rather than kanji, and this is the form to reach for whenever you simply mean a donkey.
  あれは馬うまではなくロバだ。↗

  That is not a horse, but a donkey.
• ドンキー
  nounA katakana word for the donkey itself. It is less common, and learners will seldom need it; ろば is the better choice when you want to name the animal yourself.
• 兎馬うさぎうま
  nounA kanji-written name for the donkey, read うさぎうま. It is seldom the word you want for the animal; ろば is the safer choice in your own speech and writing.

All three refer to the animal itself: use 「ろば」, normally written in kana, as your default; 「ドンキー」 is a less common katakana alternative, and 兎馬 is an uncommon kanji-written name you will seldom need.

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

• ろばdonkey
• ドンキーdonkey
• 兎馬うさぎうまdonkey