蠅(はえ)

はえ
noun
fly
animal-insect
1. fly, housefly
A common flying insect with two wings, often found around food and waste.
蠅(はえ)がうるさい。
The flies are annoying.
蠅(はえ)を追(お)い払(はら)う。
Shoo away the flies.
蠅(はえ)も殺(ころ)さぬ顔(かお)をしている。
He has a face like he wouldn't hurt a fly. (Looks innocent)
Common expression for someone who looks harmless
夏(なつ)になると台所(だいどころ)に蠅(はえ)が集(あつ)まってくるので困(こま)る。
In summer, flies gather in the kitchen and it's a nuisance.
窓(まど)を開(あ)けたら蠅(はえ)が何匹(なんびき)も入(はい)ってきたので、蠅叩(はえたた)きで退治(たいじ)した。
When I opened the window, several flies came in, so I got rid of them with a fly swatter.

Also written as ハエ. Common species:

  • イエバエ (housefly)
  • キンバエ (blowfly)
  • ショウジョウバエ (fruit fly)

Expressions

  • 蠅(はえ)も殺(ころ)さぬ (wouldn't hurt a fly - looks innocent)
  • 蠅叩(はえたた)き (fly swatter)
  • 蠅取(はえと)り紙(がみ) (fly paper)

Associated with:

  • Unsanitary conditions
  • Summer nuisance
  • Quick, erratic movement

Related vocabulary

The kanji 蠅(はえ) is complex; ハエ (katakana) is often used instead.

Counter: 一匹(いっぴき), 二匹(にひき)...

Related Words

Related: 昆虫(こんちゅう) (insect (category))
Compare: 虻(あぶ) (horsefly)
core
Added 2026.1.14 21:56 · Revised 2026.9.30 14:51
05000/05013_hae