1.
feather, plume
A light, flat growth from a bird's skin.
鳥の羽根が落ちていた。
A bird's feather had fallen.
羽根布団は軽くて暖かい。
Down comforters are light and warm.
羽根布団 = down comforter
羽根つきはお正月の伝統的な遊びだ。
Hanetsuki is a traditional New Year's game.
Hanetsuki is a Japanese badminton-like game using decorated feathered shuttlecocks
2.
wing
The appendage used by birds and insects to fly.
鳥が羽根を広げた。
The bird spread its wings.
トンボの羽根は透明で美しい。
Dragonfly wings are transparent and beautiful.
怪我をした鳥が片方の羽根を引きずっていた。
An injured bird was dragging one wing.
3.
blade, vane
A flat piece that rotates (like on a fan or propeller).
扇風機の羽根を掃除する。
To clean the fan blades.
プロペラの羽根が回り始めた。
The propeller blades began to spin.
換気扇の羽根に油汚れがたまっていた。
Grease had built up on the ventilation fan blades.
Can refer to feathers, wings, or mechanical blades depending on context.
COMMON COMPOUNDS:
- 羽根つき (Japanese New Year's badminton game)
- 羽根布団 (down comforter)
- 羽ペン (quill pen)
NOTE ON KANJI:
- 羽 (simpler form) and 羽根 are largely interchangeable
- 翼 is used more poetically or for larger wings (aircraft, etc.)
COUNTER:
- 一枚 for flat feathers
- 一本 for quill feathers
Related Words
Related:
翼 (wing (poetic))