キツツキ
kitsutsuki
The Japanese word for woodpecker is キツツキ (kitsutsuki).
キツツキ refers to any bird in the Picidae family.
Meaning: bird in Picidae (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is kitsutsuki.
Did you know?
- The word キツツキ is an example of onomatopoeia, as it mimics the rhythmic 'kit-tsu-kit-tsu' sound of a woodpecker drumming on a tree.
- In Japanese folklore, the キツツキ is sometimes associated with the arrival of spring, acting as a messenger that awakens the forest from winter sleep.
- Japanese speakers sometimes use the phrase キツツキのように ('like a woodpecker') to describe someone who is incredibly persistent or repetitive in their actions.
Examples in context
- キツツキだよ。It's a woodpecker.This sentence is useful for identifying a woodpecker.Tatoeba #11851963 by small_snow, translation #10239374 by ddnktr
- 森でキツツキを見ました。mori de kitsutuki o mimashita.I saw a woodpecker in the forest.
- あのキツツキはとても大きいです。ano kitsutuki wa totemo ookii desu.That woodpecker is very large.
Example conversation
Yui and Yota are walking through a park.
- 結衣 Yui見て、あそこにキツツキがいるよ！Mite, asoko ni kitsutsuki ga iru yo!Look, there is a woodpecker over there!
- 陽太 Yota本当だ。木を叩いているね。Honto da. Ki o tataite iru ne.You're right. It's drumming on the tree.
- 結衣 Yuiキツツキは面白い鳥だよね。Kitsutsuki wa omoshiroi tori da yo ne.Woodpeckers are interesting birds, aren't they?
- 陽太 Yotaうん、すごい速さで叩いてるよ。Un, sugoi hayasa de tataite ru yo.Yeah, it's pecking at a great speed.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry キツツキ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
