梟(ふくろう)

ふくろう
noun
owl
animal-bird
1. owl
A nocturnal bird of prey with large forward-facing eyes, a flat face, and silent flight. Owls are associated with wisdom and good luck in Japan.
梟(ふくろう)は夜行性(やこうせい)だ。
Owls are nocturnal.
お土産(みやげ)に梟(ふくろう)の置物(おきもの)を買(か)った。
I bought an owl figurine as a souvenir.
夜(よる)の森(もり)を歩(ある)いていたら、梟(ふくろう)の鳴(な)き声(ごえ)が聞(き)こえてきた。
While walking through the forest at night, I heard the hooting of an owl.

梟(ふくろう) refers to owls.

Alternative writing: フクロウ (katakana, common)

Common expressions

Counter: 羽(わ)

Cultural note

In Japan, 梟(ふくろう) is considered a lucky symbol. The word can be written with different kanji to create puns:

  • 不苦労(ふくろう) ("no hardship")
  • 福来郎(ふくろう) ("good fortune comes")

Owl figurines and goods are popular as good luck charms. Owl cafés where visitors can interact with owls have become tourist attractions in Japan.

Related Words

Related: 鷹(たか) (hawk, falcon)
general
Added 2026.1.14 20:02 · Revised 2026.9.2 12:02
04000/04330_fukurou