1.
to flap wings, to beat wings
The physical action of a bird or insect flapping its wings, whether to fly, hover, or prepare for flight.
鳥が大きく羽ばたいた。
The bird flapped its wings wide.
ハチドリは一秒間に何十回も羽ばたく。
A hummingbird flaps its wings dozens of times per second.
白鳥が湖面から勢いよく羽ばたいて飛び立った。
The swan flapped vigorously and took off from the lake surface.
2.
to spread one's wings, to venture out into the world
Used figuratively to describe someone launching into the world, pursuing their dreams, or beginning an independent life.
世界に羽ばたく若者を育てたい。
I want to nurture young people who will spread their wings in the world.
卒業生たちは社会へと羽ばたいていった。
The graduates ventured out into society.
彼女は故郷を離れ、夢に向かって大きく羽ばたこうとしている。
She is leaving her hometown, ready to spread her wings toward her dreams.
CONJUGATION:
Godan verb (五段動詞), く-ending.
- Negative: 羽ばたかない
- Polite: 羽ばたきます
- Te-form: 羽ばたいて
- Past: 羽ばたいた
USAGE:
The figurative sense (sense 2) is very common in graduation speeches, motivational contexts, and career discussions. The pattern 世界に羽ばたく (to spread one's wings in the world) is a set expression.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 大きく羽ばたく: to flap widely; to soar
- 世界に羽ばたく: to venture out into the world
- 社会に羽ばたく: to launch into society