蝉
semi[se̞mʲi]
The English word "cicada" is translated into Japanese as 蝉 (semi).
蝉 is a noun used to refer to any insect belonging to the order Hemiptera.
Meaning: any of several insects of the order Hemiptera (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
semi
Did you know?
- If you are listening to a Japanese ambient recording of a forest, the loud, rhythmic buzzing of the 蝉 is often called 'semi no koe', which literally translates to 'the voice of the cicada'.
- In Japanese literature, the sound of the 蝉 is often used as a metaphor for the fleeting and ephemeral nature of life. This is because the insect lives underground for years only to emerge and die quickly.
- Certain types of 蝉 shells are traditionally used in Japan as decorative items or as components in traditional crafts.
Examples in context
- 閑さや岩に染み入る蝉の声Quietness! The cicada song soaks into the rocks.This sentence is useful for illustrating how the song of the 蝉 is described in a poetic context.Tatoeba #1718139 by small_snow, translation #13724834 by terrywallwork
- 蝉の声が涼しいですね。The sound of cicadas is refreshing, isn't it?
- あの木の上に蝉が止まっています。A cicada is perched on that tree.
- アブラゼミの鳴き声を聞くと夏を感じます。I feel the arrival of summer when I hear the buzzing sound of cicadas.
- 蝉が鳴いています。semi ga naite imasu.The cicadas are chirping.
- 木の上で蝉を見つけた。ki no ue de semi o mitsuketa.I found a cicada on the tree.
Example conversation
A sunny afternoon in a park during summer.
- 大翔 Hiroto蝉の声がすごく大きいね。semi no koe ga sugoku ookii ne.The cicadas' voices are really loud, aren't they?
- 陽葵 Himari本当、夏って感じがする。hontou, natsu tte kanji ga suru.Truly, it really feels like summer.
- 大翔 Hiroto陽葵さんは蝉は好き？Himari-san wa semi wa suki?Do you like cicadas, Himari?
- 陽葵 Himari苦手かな、少し怖いよ。nigate kana, sukoshi kowai yo.Not really, I'm a little scared of them.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cicada” translations and entries 蝉, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
