うさぎ

• Reading: うさぎ
• Romaji: usagi
• Kanji breakdown: 兎 (to/usagi) — rabbit, hare
• Pronunciation: /ɯ.sa.ɡi/

Meaning

Rabbit; hare. A small, long-eared mammal known for hopping.

A noun for rabbits and hares, almost always written in hiragana although the kanji 兎 exists. Rabbits hold special significance in Japanese culture, appearing in the folk tale of the Moon Rabbit (月のうさぎ), who is said to pound rice cakes on the moon. The counter for rabbits is traditionally 羽 (wa, used for birds) rather than 匹, though 匹 is also accepted today.

Examples

1. 公園でうさぎにえさをあげた。 I fed a rabbit at the park.
2. 娘がうさぎを飼いたいと言っている。 My daughter says she wants to have a pet rabbit.
3. うさぎは耳が長くてかわいい。 Rabbits are cute with their long ears.

Usage Guide

Context: animals, children, folklore

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From Old Japanese. The kanji 兎 is a pictograph of a rabbit, with the lower strokes representing legs and a tail. The connection to the moon rabbit is a cultural tradition shared across East Asia.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal