The rabbit is a gentle, long-eared mammal cherished in both nature and Japanese folklore.
Word in 30 Seconds
- A small mammal known for its long ears.
- Popular pet and common character in stories.
- Often associated with the moon in Japanese folklore.
Overview
- 1概要：うさぎ（兎）は、ウサギ科に属する小動物の総称です。愛らしい外見から、世界中でペットとして人気があり、童話やアニメのキャラクターとしても頻繁に登場します。2) 使用パターン：名詞として、動物そのものを指す場合や、比喩的に使われる場合があります。例えば、「うさぎを飼う」のように具体的な対象として使うのが一般的です。3) 一般的な文脈：日常生活ではペットの話題や動物園、あるいは「うさぎとかめ」のような童話の文脈でよく使われます。また、干支（卯年）に関連して話題に上ることもあります。4) 類似語との比較：「野うさぎ（のうさぎ）」は野生のうさぎを指し、「家うさぎ（いえうさぎ）」は飼育されている種類を指します。また、擬人化された表現として「うさぎちゃん」と呼ぶこともあります。
Examples
庭でうさぎを飼っています。
everydayI keep a rabbit in the garden.
うさぎは非常に臆病な動物です。
formalRabbits are very timid animals.
うさぎちゃん、かわいいね！
informalThe little bunny is so cute!
野生のうさぎは草を食べて生活します。
academicWild rabbits live by eating grass.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
うさぎとかめ
The Tortoise and the Hare
うさぎ跳び
bunny hop
脱兎のごとく
as fast as a fleeing rabbit
Often Confused With
Refers specifically to wild rabbits found in nature. Ordinary 'usagi' can refer to pets.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
The word 'usagi' is neutral and commonly used in all registers. When talking about pets, people often add '-chan' to make it sound cuter. It is important to remember the traditional counter 'wa' (羽) when counting them.
Common Mistakes
Beginners often count rabbits using 'hiki' (匹) instead of 'wa' (羽). While 'hiki' is technically understood for small animals, 'wa' is the correct cultural term. Also, avoid confusing the kanji '兎' with '免' which looks similar.
Tips
Use the counter 'wa' for rabbits
Remember to count rabbits using the counter 'wa' (羽), just like birds. This is a unique cultural quirk in the Japanese language.
Don't confuse with other small animals
Ensure you don't mistake them for 'nezumi' (mouse/rat). Rabbits are significantly larger and have distinct long ears.
Rabbits on the moon
In Japanese folklore, the pattern on the moon is said to look like a rabbit making rice cakes (mochi). This is a very common cultural reference.
Word Origin
The word stems from ancient Japanese. The use of the counter 'wa' is a unique historical artifact from a time when rabbits were categorized as birds for religious dietary reasons.
Cultural Context
Rabbits are deeply embedded in Japanese culture, appearing in the 'Tale of the Bamboo Cutter' and the famous fable 'The Rabbit and the Tortoise'. They are also one of the twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac.
Memory Tip
Think of a rabbit with long ears and imagine it flying like a bird to remember the counter 'wa' (羽). It's a silly image that makes the counter stick.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions漢字では「兎」と書きます。ただし、日常的にはひらがなの「うさぎ」やカタカナの「ウサギ」と表記されることが非常に多いです。
うさぎは「1羽（いちわ）、2羽（にわ）」と数えます。鳥ではないのに「羽」を使う理由は、昔、僧侶が肉食を禁じられていた際に、うさぎを鳥として分類して食べていた名残だと言われています。
うさぎは声帯が発達していないため、犬や猫のように鳴くことはほとんどありません。しかし、怒った時や不安な時に鼻を鳴らしたり、足で地面を叩いたりして意思表示をします。
どちらを使っても間違いではありません。一般的に、生物学的な文脈ではカタカナの「ウサギ」、日常会話や物語ではひらがなの「うさぎ」が好まれる傾向があります。
Test Yourself
公園でかわいい___を見ました。
文脈から動物の名前が入りますが、選択肢の中でうさぎは一般的な動物です。
うさぎを3匹数えるとき、正しいのはどれですか？
うさぎは伝統的に「羽」を使って数えます。
（うさぎ / が / 庭 / に / います）
日本語の基本的な語順は「主語＋場所＋動詞」です。
Score: /3
Summary
The rabbit is a gentle, long-eared mammal cherished in both nature and Japanese folklore.
- A small mammal known for its long ears.
- Popular pet and common character in stories.
- Often associated with the moon in Japanese folklore.
Use the counter 'wa' for rabbits
Remember to count rabbits using the counter 'wa' (羽), just like birds. This is a unique cultural quirk in the Japanese language.
Don't confuse with other small animals
Ensure you don't mistake them for 'nezumi' (mouse/rat). Rabbits are significantly larger and have distinct long ears.
Rabbits on the moon
In Japanese folklore, the pattern on the moon is said to look like a rabbit making rice cakes (mochi). This is a very common cultural reference.
Examples
4 of 4庭でうさぎを飼っています。
I keep a rabbit in the garden.
うさぎは非常に臆病な動物です。
Rabbits are very timid animals.
うさぎちゃん、かわいいね！
The little bunny is so cute!
野生のうさぎは草を食べて生活します。
Wild rabbits live by eating grass.
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
Related Grammar Rules
Related Vocabulary
More animals words
鳴き声
A2Animal cry, sound; the noise an animal makes.
あり
A2Ant; a small, social insect.
襲う
A2To attack; to make a violent assault on.
吠える
A2To bark; to make a sharp, loud cry (for dogs).
くま
A2Bear; a large, heavy mammal with thick fur and a short tail.
噛む
A2To bite; to grip or cut with teeth.
ちょう
A2Butterfly; an insect with large wings.
追う
A2To chase; to pursue in order to catch.
ちゅんちゅん
A2Chirp; onomatopoeia for a bird's sound.
コケコッコー
A2Cock-a-doodle-doo; the sound a rooster makes.
