1.
crane (bird)
A large, elegant wading bird with long legs and neck. Cranes are symbols of longevity and good fortune in Japanese culture.
鶴は長寿の象徴だ。
Cranes are symbols of longevity.
北海道では丹頂鶴が見られる。
You can see red-crowned cranes in Hokkaido.
千羽鶴を折って病気の友達に贈った。
I folded a thousand paper cranes and gave them to my sick friend.
鶴 refers to cranes, particularly associated with the red-crowned crane (丹頂鶴).
Common expressions:
- 千羽鶴 (thousand paper cranes - folded for wishes/recovery)
- 折り鶴 (origami crane)
- 鶴の一声 (the voice of authority; a decisive word from the top)
- 鶴は千年、亀は万年 (cranes live 1,000 years, turtles 10,000 years - wishes for longevity)
Counter: 羽
Cultural note:
The 丹頂鶴 (red-crowned crane) is a national symbol of Japan and appears on the logo of Japan Airlines. 千羽鶴 became internationally known through the story of Sadako Sasaki, who folded paper cranes while hospitalized after the Hiroshima bombing. Cranes symbolize longevity, good fortune, and fidelity.