How to Say "Gnat" in Japanese

ブヨ

buyo

The Japanese word for gnat is ブヨ (buyo).

ブヨ is used to refer to any small insect belonging to the order Diptera.

Meaning: any small insect of the order Diptera (noun)

How do you pronounce it?

buyo

If you describe a person's skin as ぶよぶよ (buyo-buyo), you are not talking about insects, but rather describing someone with very soft or flabby flesh.
The word ブヨ is often used in Japanese nature guides to warn hikers about 'black fly' seasons, which are distinct from the general 'mosquito' seasons.
In Japanese entomology, the category of 'gnat' is often split between different names depending on whether the insect is a 'midge' or a 'black fly', whereas English uses 'gnat' more broadly.

あの小さな虫は何ですか？
What is that small insect?
ブヨに刺されてしまいました。
Buyo ni sasarete shimaimashita.
I got bitten by a gnat.
川辺にはブヨがたくさんいます。
Kawabe ni wa buyo ga takusan imasu.
There are many gnats by the river.
ブヨの対策をしましょう。
Buyo no taisaku o shimashou.
Let's take precautions against gnats.

Two people are camping near a river at dusk.

大翔 Hiroto

ブヨが寄ってきましたね。
Buyo ga yotte kimashita ne.
The gnats are coming closer.
陽葵 Himari

本当に、すごく痒いです。
Hontou ni, sugoku kayui desu.
Truly, it's very itchy.
大翔 Hiroto

虫除けスプレーはありますか？
Mushiyoke supuree wa arimasu ka?
Do you have insect repellent?
陽葵 Himari

はい、バッグの中にあります。
Hai, baggu no naka ni arimasu.
Yes, it is in my bag.

Sources

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