World Languages Lexicon
10 Language-to-English DictionariesHai
Pronunciation / Transliteration: /haɪ̯/
"Der Hai schwimmt schnell durch das tiefe Wasser."
Comprehensive Definitions & Senses
2 senses- 1
A long-bodied chiefly marine fish with a cartilaginous skeleton, prominent dorsal fins, and typically five to seven gill slits on the sides of the head, known as an apex predator.
"Several species of shark inhabit the coastal waters near the coral reef." - 2
A rapacious, predatory, or dishonest person, especially one who preys on others in business or card games.
"He quickly realized the local real estate agent was a financial shark trying to exploit inexperienced buyers."
Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology
Derived from the archaic German word 'schurke' meaning villain or scoundrel, which was adopted into English in the late 16th century by sailors returning from the Caribbean who applied it to the predatory fish. Over time, the term shifted exclusively from describing a dishonest person to denoting the cartilaginous marine predator.
Which of the following is the closest synonym for "Shark"?
10 Global Lexicons: How "Shark" is said worldwide
Click any language below to open its dedicated Language to English dictionary page with native script & transliteration
requin
Transliteration: /ʁə.kɛ̃/
"Un grand requin blanc a été aperçu près de la plage."
Hai
Transliteration: /haɪ̯/
"Der Hai schwimmt schnell durch das tiefe Wasser."
squalo
Transliteration: /ˈskwa.lo/
"Lo squalo è uno dei predatori più temuti dell'oceano."
tiburón
Transliteration: /ti.βuˈɾon/
"El tiburón martillo es conocido por su extraña forma de cabeza."
tubarão
Transliteration: /tu.baˈɾɐ̃w̃/
"O tubarão branco nada silenciosamente no oceano."
शार्क
Transliteration: shārk
"समुद्र में शार्क मछली बहुत खतरनाक होती है।"
鲨鱼
Transliteration: shāyú
"鲨鱼是海洋中的顶级掠食者。"
상어
Transliteration: sang-eo
"상어는 바다에서 가장 무서운 포식자 중 하나입니다."
サメ
Transliteration: same
Script: 鮫
"海で大きなサメを見かけました。"
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