1.
down, feathers, plumage
The soft, fluffy feathers of birds, especially the fine underfeathers used as insulating material in bedding and clothing. Also refers to bird feathers in general.
羽毛ぶとんは軽くて暖かい。
Down comforters are light and warm.
この羽毛ジャケットは真冬でも十分暖かい。
This down jacket is warm enough even in the middle of winter.
水鳥の羽毛は水をはじく性質があるため、高級な寝具の素材として重宝されている。
Waterfowl down has water-repelling properties, so it is valued as a material for high-quality bedding.
USAGE NOTE:
Most commonly encountered in compound words related to bedding and clothing products. 羽毛ぶとん (down comforter) is by far the most frequent collocation.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 羽毛ぶとん (down comforter/duvet)
- 羽毛ジャケット (down jacket)
- 羽毛を使った (made with down)
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 羽: feather, wing (general everyday word for individual feathers)
- ダウン: down (loanword, used interchangeably in product names like ダウンジャケット)