1.
birdcage
A cage for keeping birds. Can also be used figuratively to describe a confined or restrictive environment.
鳥籠の掃除をする。
To clean the birdcage.
小鳥が鳥籠の中で鳴いている。
A small bird is singing inside the birdcage.
おばあちゃんの家には、きれいなインコが入った大きな鳥籠が置いてあった。
At my grandmother's house, there was a large birdcage with a beautiful parakeet inside.
Composed of 鳥 (bird) + 籠 (cage, basket). A straightforward compound noun. Sometimes used figuratively in literature and song to represent confinement or lack of freedom.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 鳥籠に入れる — to put in a birdcage
- 鳥籠から出す — to let out of a birdcage
- 鳥籠の中の鳥 — a caged bird
CULTURAL NOTE:
The image of a 籠の鳥 (caged bird) is a common metaphor in Japanese literature for someone who lacks freedom, particularly women in traditional society. The children's song 「かごめかごめ」uses related imagery.
RELATED TERMS:
- 籠 — cage, basket (general term)
- 鳥小屋 — aviary, bird house (larger structure)
- 水槽 — fish tank, aquarium (analogous container for fish)