1.
crow
A large black bird with a distinctive cawing call, known for its intelligence.
鴉がゴミを漁っている。
Crows are rummaging through the garbage.
A common urban problem in Japan
鴉は頭がいい鳥だ。
Crows are intelligent birds.
烏の行水。
A crow's bath. (Idiom: A very quick bath)
Describes someone who bathes very briefly
Also written as 烏 (more common in compounds). Species in Japan:
- ハシブトガラス (jungle crow) - larger, urban
- ハシボソガラス (carrion crow) - slimmer beak, rural
Cultural associations:
- Often seen as pests in cities (ゴミを荒らす)
- Associated with 八咫烏 (three-legged crow) in mythology
- Symbol of 熊野 shrines
- In folklore, can be both good and bad omens
Expressions:
- 烏の行水 (a quick bath)
- 烏の濡れ羽色 (jet black, like a crow's wet feathers)
- カラスの勝手でしょ (It's none of your business - catchphrase from a TV show)
Counter: 一羽, 二羽...