虫
mushi[mɯ̟ɕi]
The English word 'insect' is translated to Japanese as 虫 (mushi).
虫 is the most common and general term for an insect or a bug in Japanese. For more technical or scientific discussions specifically regarding the class Insecta, the term 昆虫 is used.
Meaning: arthropod of class Insecta (noun)
Which one should you use?
虫 is the everyday word used to describe any bug or insect. In contrast, 昆虫 is a formal, technical term used in biological or scientific contexts to refer specifically to insects.
How does it change in a sentence?
To use 虫 as an adjective to modify another noun, such as in the phrase 'insect repellent', you must add the particle の after the word, forming 虫の.
How do you pronounce it?
mushi
Did you know?
- The word 虫 is used in the phrase 虫の息, which literally means 'insect's breath' but describes someone who is in their final moments of life.
- The expression 虫が出る is used when someone is acting irritable or moody, as if a 'bug' is crawling inside them.
- Japanese has a specific word 虫食い for the 'worm-eaten' holes found in old books or leaves, which is also used metaphorically to describe memory loss.
Examples in context
- ハエは昆虫よ。A fly is an insect.This sentence uses 虫 to identify a fly as an insect.Tatoeba #11958120 by small_snow, translation #11574440 by sundown
- 虫って、食べたことある？Have you ever eaten an insect?This sentence uses 虫 to ask about the experience of eating an insect.Tatoeba #11491197 by small_snow, translation #2761060 by Hybrid
- 虫よけスプレーありますか？Do you have insect repellent spray?This sentence uses 虫 to inquire about insect repellent spray.Tatoeba #8523142 by small_snow, translation #13483443 by CK
- 秋にはたくさんの虫が出る。Many insects come out in autumn.
- 昆虫学に興味があります。I am interested in entomology.
- その虫さん、なんて名前ですか？What's the name of that bug?
- 庭にむしいっぱいいるよ！There are lots of bugs in the garden!
- 10 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are walking in a park and see something small on a leaf.
- 大翔 Hirotoあそこに変な虫がいるよ。Asoko ni henna mushi ga iru yo.There is a strange insect over there.
- 陽葵 Himariえっ、どこ？見せて。E', doko? Misete.What, where? Let me see.
- 大翔 Hirotoこの葉っぱの上にいる虫だよ。Kono happa no ue ni iru mushi dayo.It's the insect on this leaf.
- 陽葵 Himari本当だ！綺麗な色だね。Hontou da! Kirei na iro dane.You're right! It's a beautiful color.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 虫, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
