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This site will be taken down March 31st, 2026.

This was not an easy decision to make. For the last couple years, I have been struggling to find motivation for this site and to keep up with basic maintenance and security updates. With the rise of AI and more sophisticated tools, the usefulness of sites like this is questionable and traffic has nose-dived. I just don't have it in me to keep doing this. Thank you all for 10 years of support!

Zach

麒麟

騏驎

Readings

Kana: きりん、キリン
Romaji: kirin, kirin
Kana
Romaji

Definitions

noun
1

giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis)

Note: word usually written using kana alone
2

qilin (Chinese unicorn)

3

Kirin (brand of beer)

Note: Only 麒麟
4

horse that can ride 1000 ri in a day

Note: archaism
Note: Only 騏驎

Kanji

麒
Reading: キ
Meanings: Chinese unicorn, genius, giraffe, bright, shining
麟
Reading: リン
Meanings: Chinese unicorn, genius, giraffe, bright, shining
騏
Reading: キ
Meaning: fast horse

Example Sentences

私(わたし)はキリンを見(み)たことがありません。
➥I have never seen a giraffe.
Full Entry➤
私(わたし)は動物園(どうぶつえん)に行(い)くまできりんを見(み)たことがなかった。
➥I had never seen a giraffe till I visited the zoo.
Full Entry➤
ライオンは死(し)んだきりんの肉(にく)を食(く)いちぎった。
➥The lion ripped the flesh from the dead giraffe.
Full Entry➤
王(おう)を得(え)た麒麟(きりん)もまた寿命(じゅみょう)を持(も)たない生(い)き物(もの)だが、この病(やまい)ばかりは治癒(ちゆ)の方法(ほうほう)がない。
➥A qilin with a king too has no limit on its lifespan, but this illness alone admits of no remedy.
Full Entry➤
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