How to say "leopard" in Japanese

• ひょうCommon
  nounThe common word for the leopard (Panthera pardus); it is usually written with kana alone. Use it when talking about the animal itself, as in zoo or wildlife contexts.
  豹ひょうはその斑点はんてんを変かえることはできない。↗

  A leopard cannot change his spots.
• レオパード
  nounA less common katakana loanword for the animal, Panthera pardus; it also means leopard fur, so it can come up when fur is the topic. For the animal itself, ひょう is the usual choice.
• 斑毛ぶちげ
  no-adjectiveThis is not a word for the animal: it denotes the leopard coat pattern of horses. It is a less common term, so it is seldom what you want for the big cat.

For the big cat itself, use 「ひょう」, the common word, usually written in kana; 「レオパード」 is a less common loanword that also covers leopard fur, while 斑毛 refers only to the leopard coat pattern of horses.

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

• ひょうleopard (Panthera pardus)
• レオパードleopard (Panthera pardus)
• 斑毛ぶちげleopard (horse coat pattern)