うさぎ
usagi
The Japanese word for "bunny" is うさぎ (usagi).
うさぎ is used to refer to a young rabbit.
Meaning: young rabbit (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
usagi
Did you know?
- In Japanese folklore, the moon is not made of cheese but is inhabited by a うさぎ pounding mochi rice cakes with a mortar and pestle.
- While 'bunny' is an affectionate term in English, Japanese speakers often use the loanword バニー (banii) specifically to refer to 'bunny girl' costumes or motifs rather than actual animals.
- While 'bunny' is a diminutive in English, in Japanese, adding ちゃん (chan) to うさぎ (usagi-chan) is the standard way to make the word sound more 'bunny-like' and adorable.
Examples in context
- うさぎが、犬を飛び越えました。The bunny jumped over the dog.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use うさぎ in a sentence describing an action.Tatoeba #5427822 by Objectivesea, translation #5427816 by Objectivesea
- うさぎのおもちゃをくださいPlease give me a bunny toy.
- 兎と遊んでくださいPlease play with the bunny.
- うさぎは、とてもかわいいです。usagi wa, totemo kawaii desu.A bunny is very cute.
- 庭に、白いうさぎがいます。niwa ni, shiroi usagi ga imasu.There is a white bunny in the garden.
Example conversation
Kenta and Yui are looking at animals at a pet shop.
- 健太 Kenta見て、あそこにうさぎがいるよ。mite, asoko ni usagi ga iru yo.Look, there is a bunny over there.
- 結衣 Yui本当だ！とても小さいね。hontou da! totemo chiisai ne.You're right! It's very small.
- 健太 Kenta触ってもいいかな？sawatte mo ii kana?I wonder if I can touch it?
- 結衣 Yui店員さんに聞いてみよう。ten'in-san ni kiite miyou.Let's ask the clerk.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
