1.
butterfly
A flying insect with large, often colorful wings. Butterflies are admired for their beauty and are often associated with transformation and impermanence in Japanese culture.
庭に蝶がたくさん飛んでいる。
Many butterflies are flying in the garden.
蝶が花から花へと舞っている。
A butterfly is fluttering from flower to flower.
舞う is often used for elegant, dancing flight
息子は蝶を追いかけて公園を走り回った。
My son ran around the park chasing butterflies.
春になると色とりどりの蝶が花畑に集まってくる。
When spring comes, colorful butterflies gather in the flower fields.
娘は蝶が大好きで、図鑑を見ながら種類や名前を覚えている。
My daughter loves butterflies and is learning their types and names while looking at a picture book.
蝶 refers to butterflies, distinguished from 蛾 (moths) primarily by their daytime activity and colorful wings.
Common expressions:
- 蝶々/蝶々 (colloquial/childish term for butterfly)
- 蝶のように舞う (to flutter like a butterfly)
- 蝶ネクタイ (bow tie - literally "butterfly necktie")
Counter: 匹 or 頭 (for specimens in research contexts)
Cultural note:
Butterflies symbolize transformation, souls of the departed, and fleeting beauty in Japanese culture. The famous expression 胡蝶の夢 (Zhuangzi's butterfly dream) is well known in Japan.