白鷺
shirasagi[ɕiɾa̠sa̠ɡʲi]
The English phrase egret is translated into Japanese as 白鷺 (shirasagi).
The word refers to a type of long-legged white bird that looks like a heron.
What does it mean word for word?
The term is composed of the kanji for 'white' (白) and 'egret/heron' (鷺), literally meaning 'white egret'.
How do you pronounce it?
shirasagi
Did you know?
- The famous 'White Heron Castle' in Himeji is called 白鷺城 because its brilliant white exterior and soaring architecture resemble a 白鷺 taking flight.
- In Japanese-style ink wash paintings, the white of the 白鷺 is often represented not by adding paint, but by leaving the paper completely blank to create a sense of purity.
- In Japanese folklore, the 白鷺 is often associated with purity and is sometimes viewed as a messenger of the gods.
Examples in context
- 田んぼに白鷺がいます。Tanbo ni shirasagi ga imasu.There is an egret in the rice field.
- あの白鷺はとても美しいです。Ano shirasagi wa totemo utsukushii desu.That egret is very beautiful.
- 白鷺が川を飛んでいます。Shirasagi ga kawa o tonde imasu.An egret is flying over the river.
Example conversation
A couple is walking through a park near a pond.
- 陽葵 Himari見て、蓮、白鷺がいるよ！Mite, Ren, shirasagi ga iru yo!Look, Ren, there is an egret!
- 蓮 Ren本当だ、白くてきれいな白鷺だね。Hontou da, shirokute kirei na shirasagi dane.You're right, it's a white and beautiful egret.
- 陽葵 Himari静かにしないと逃げちゃうかも。Shizuka ni shinai to nigechau kamo.If we aren't quiet, it might fly away.
- 蓮 Renわかった、静かに観察しよう。Wakatta, shizuka ni kansatsu shiyou.Got it, let's observe it quietly.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 白鷺, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
