インコ
inko
The Japanese word for parakeet is インコ (inko).
インコ is used to refer to various species of small parrots.
Meaning: various species of small parrots (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
inko
Did you know?
- In Japanese, the word インコ is often used in the idiom インコのように繰り返す to describe someone who mindlessly repeats phrases without understanding them.
- Because インコ is written in Katakana, it signals to the reader that the word is an imported term, which is a common way Japanese handles foreign animal names.
- While インコ is the common term, Japanese has a specific word オウム for larger parrots, and the distinction between the two is based more on size and perceived 'intelligence' than strict species lines.
Examples in context
- こんにちは、インコちゃんは元気ですか？Hello, how is your parakeet doing?
- インコちゃんに餌をあげましょう。Let's feed the parakeet.
- インコが鳴いています。Inko ga naite imasu.The parakeet is chirping.
- このインコはとても賢いです。Kono inko wa totemo kashikoi desu.This parakeet is very smart.
- 可愛いインコを飼いたいです。Kawaii inko o kaitai desu.I want to keep a cute parakeet.
Example conversation
At a pet shop, looking at birds.
- 結衣 Yuiあのインコ、すごく綺麗ですね。Ano inko, sugoku kirei desu ne.That parakeet is so beautiful, isn't it?
- 大翔 Hiroto本当ですね。結衣さんは鳥が好きですか？Hontou desu ne. Yui-san wa tori ga suki desu ka?It really is. Yui, do you like birds?
- 結衣 Yuiはい、いつかインコを飼いたいです。Hai, itsuka inko o kaitai desu.Yes, I want to keep a parakeet someday.
- 大翔 Hiroto大翔も、インコに興味があります。Hiroto mo, inko ni kyoumi ga arimasu.Hiroto is interested in parakeets too.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry インコ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
