フクロウ
fukurou
The English word "owl" is translated into Japanese as フクロウ (fukurou).
フクロウ is the general term used for an owl, referring to the bird itself.
Meaning: bird (noun)
Which one should you use?
The term tsumamimizuku refers specifically to the Eurasian scops owl. Additionally, while written in katakana (フクロウ) in many scientific or general contexts, the word can also be written using the kanji 梟.
How do you pronounce it?
fukurou
Did you know?
- The word for owl, フクロウ, sounds similar to the Japanese word 福来 (fuku-rai), which translates to 'fortune comes', leading to its use as a lucky mascot in modern giftware.
- While many Western cultures view owls as symbols of wisdom, in certain Japanese folk traditions, some owl-related imagery was historically seen as a sign of bad luck or misfortune.
- In Japanese taxonomy, the term フクロウ (owl) and ミミズク (horned owl) are distinct groups, even though English speakers often use 'owl' as a catch-all term for both.
Examples in context
- フクロウは、ゆっくり歩く。The owl is slow on foot.This sentence is useful for describing the movement of a フクロウ.Tatoeba #197185 by small_snow, translation #34368 by AlanF_US
- フクロウは昼間寝ていて夜間狩りをします。An owl sleeps by day and hunts by night.This sentence is useful for describing the sleeping and hunting patterns of a フクロウ.Tatoeba #197180 by small_snow, translation #34362 by AlanF_US
- フクロウの雛は、森の中で一番きれいです。Owl chicks are the most beautiful in the forest.This sentence is useful for describing the appearance of a フクロウ chick.Tatoeba #11561507 by small_snow, translation #11236261 by carlosalberto
- あれはフクロウです。That is an owl.
- 森でフクロウを見たよ。I saw an owl in the forest.
- 本当に？どんなフクロウだった？Really? What kind of owl was it?
Example conversation
Hiiro and Yamato are looking at a picture book about birds.
- 陽葵 Himariこのフクロウ、とてもかわいいね。Kono fukurou, totemo kawaii ne.This owl is very cute, isn't it?
- 大翔 Hiroto本当だね。目が大きいよ。Hontou da ne. Me ga ookii yo.You're right. Its eyes are big.
- 陽葵 Himariフクロウは夜に活動するんだよ。Fukurou wa yoru ni katsudou suru nda yo.Owls are active at night.
- 大翔 Hirotoそうなんだ。不思議な鳥だね。Sou nanda. Fushigi na tori da ne.I see. It's a mysterious bird.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry フクロウ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
