鷹(たか)

たか
noun
hawk, falcon
1. hawk
A bird of prey with sharp talons.
鷹(たか)が空(そら)を舞(ま)っている。
A hawk is soaring in the sky.
鷹狩(たかが)りは伝統的(でんとうてき)な狩猟(しゅりょう)だ。
Falconry is a traditional form of hunting.
能(のう)ある鷹(たか)は爪(つめ)を隠(かく)すと言(い)うが、彼(かれ)はまさにそうだ。
They say a talented hawk hides its talons, and he's exactly like that.
Proverb meaning: talented people don't show off.

鷹(たか) refers to hawks and falcons — medium to large birds of prey. Culturally significant in Japan with a rich history in falconry and proverbs.

CULTURAL BACKGROUND:
鷹狩(たかが)り (falconry) was a prestigious pastime of samurai and nobility, especially during the Edo period. The Tokugawa shoguns maintained elaborate hawking grounds.

PROVERBS:

  • 能(のう)ある鷹(たか)は爪(つめ)を隠(かく)す: a skilled hawk hides its talons (talented people don't show off)
  • 鳶(とび)が鷹(たか)を生(う)む: a kite gives birth to a hawk (exceptional child from ordinary parents)

RELATED BIRD VOCABULARY:

  • 鳶(とび)/鳶(とんび): black kite (common, less noble bird)
  • 鷲(わし): eagle (larger)
  • 隼(はやぶさ): peregrine falcon
  • 梟(ふくろう): owl

Related Words

Related: 鷲(わし) (eagle)
general
Added 2026.1.9 21:21 · Revised 2026.4.8 10:16
02000/02218_taka