かもめ

かもめ (seagull/gull) is a common seabird seen at Japanese coastal areas, harbors, and beaches.

KANJI:
Can be written as 鷗(かもめ), though the kanji is uncommon and usually replaced by kana. The kanji is classified as 常用漢字外(じょうようかんじがい) (outside the standard kanji list).

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

• かもめが飛(と)ぶ: seagulls fly
• かもめの群(む)れ: a flock of seagulls
• 海(うみ)のかもめ: seagulls at the sea

CULTURAL NOTE:
かもめ appears frequently in Japanese literature, songs, and poetry as a symbol of the sea and coastal life. The famous play「かもめ」is the Japanese title for Chekhov's "The Seagull."

COUNTER:
Birds are counted with 羽(わ): 一羽(いちわ)、二羽(にわ).