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 2026.5.19 5:19

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