白い羽
shiroi hane
The English phrase "white feather" is translated into Japanese as 白い羽 (shiroi hane).
The phrase is used to describe a feather that is white in color.
How do you pronounce it?
shiroi hane
Did you know?
- Unlike the English idiom where a 'white feather' represents cowardice, 白い羽 has no negative connotation in Japanese and typically represents peace or innocence.
- The phrase 白い羽 is frequently associated with the 'Hagoromo', a celestial robe of feathers worn by heavenly maidens in folklore. In these myths, the feathers are a source of supernatural power and flight.
- The word 羽 can be read as 'hane' when referring to a feather, but as 'u' when used as a counter for birds.
Examples in context
- 彼女は白羽根の鳥のように優美だ。She is graceful like a white-feathered bird.
- 白羽根が舞っているところを見たことがありますか？Have you ever seen a white feather floating?
- 白い羽根が地面に落ちていました。A white feather was lying on the ground.
Example conversation
Two people are walking through a park in autumn.
- 結衣 Yui見て、綺麗な白い羽が落ちているよ。Mite, kirei na shiroi hane ga ochite iru yo.Look, a beautiful white feather has fallen.
- 大翔 Hiroto本当だ。とてもきれいだね。Hontou da. Totemo kirei da ne.You're right. It's very beautiful.
- 結衣 Yuiどこから飛んできたのかな？Doko kara tonde kita no kana?I wonder where it flew from?
- 大翔 Hirotoきっと鳥が落としたんだよ。Kitto tori ga otoshita nda yo.A bird must have dropped it.
