(ひなにんぎょう)

ひなにんぎょう
noun
hina dolls; dolls for Girls' Day
1. hina dolls; ornamental dolls for Girls' Day
Elaborate decorative dolls representing the imperial court, displayed on a tiered platform during the Hinamatsuri festival on March 3rd. They are set up to wish for the health and happiness of girls in the family.
二月(にがつ)になると雛人形(ひなにんぎょう)(かざ)る。
We display the hina dolls when February comes.
祖母(そぼ)から()()いだ雛人形(ひなにんぎょう)大切(たいせつ)にしている。
I treasure the hina dolls I inherited from my grandmother.
雛人形(ひなにんぎょう)(はや)片付(かたづ)けないと(よめ)()(おく)れるという()(つた)えがある。
There is a folk belief that if you don't put the hina dolls away promptly, the girl will be late to marry.

A compound of (ひな) (small bird; doll; miniature) and 人形(にんぎょう) (doll). The dolls are displayed for 雛祭(ひなまつ)り (Girls' Day / Dolls' Festival) on March 3rd.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 雛人形(ひなにんぎょう)(かざ)る (to display the hina dolls)
  • 雛人形(ひなにんぎょう)片付(かたづ)ける (to put away the hina dolls)
  • 雛人形(ひなにんぎょう)()う (to buy hina dolls)
  • 七段飾(ななだんかざ)り (seven-tiered display)

CULTURAL NOTES:
A full set features the 内裏(だいり)(びな) (emperor and empress dolls) at the top, with attendants, musicians, and ministers on lower tiers. Sets range from simple two-doll displays to elaborate seven-tier platforms. Traditionally purchased by the maternal grandparents for a newborn girl.