蟻(あり)

あり

noun

ant

1. ant

A small social insect that lives in organized colonies. Known for their industriousness and teamwork.

蟻(あり)が砂糖(さとう)に群(むら)がっている。

Ants are swarming around the sugar.

群(むら)がる = to swarm, to gather

蟻(あり)は自分(じぶん)の体重(たいじゅう)の何倍(なんばい)もの重(おも)さを運(はこ)べる。

Ants can carry many times their own body weight.

蟻(あり)の行列(ぎょうれつ)が地面(じめん)に長(なが)く続(つづ)いていた。

A long line of ants stretched across the ground.

台所(だいどころ)に蟻(あり)が入(はい)ってきたので、巣(す)を探(さが)して退治(たいじ)した。

Ants got into the kitchen, so I found their nest and exterminated them.

蟻(あり)は小(ちい)さい体(からだ)なのに、仲間(なかま)と協力(きょうりょく)して大(おお)きな食(た)べ物(もの)を巣(す)まで運(はこ)んでいく。

Despite their small bodies, ants work together with their companions to carry large food back to the nest.

蟻(あり) refers to ants in general.

Common expressions:

蟻(あり)の行列(ぎょうれつ) (a line of ants)
蟻(あり)の巣(す) (ant nest, anthill)
蟻(あり)地獄(じごく) (antlion pit; also used figuratively for inescapable situations)
働(はたら)き蟻(あり) (worker ant; also used for hard-working people)

Counter: 匹(ひき)

Related proverb:
蟻(あり)の一穴(いっけつ) - "one ant's hole" - meaning a small problem can lead to big disaster, similar to "a small leak will sink a great ship."

core

Added 2026.1.14 20:02 · Revised 2026.5.31 3:11

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