鳥籠(とりかご)

Composed of 鳥(とり) (bird) + 籠(かご) (cage, basket). A straightforward compound noun. Sometimes used figuratively in literature and song to represent confinement or lack of freedom.

Common collocations

• 鳥籠(とりかご)に入(い)れる — to put in a birdcage
• 鳥籠(とりかご)から出(だ)す — to let out of a birdcage
• 鳥籠(とりかご)の中(なか)の鳥(とり) — a caged bird

Cultural note

The image of a 籠(かご)の鳥(とり) (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 words

• 籠(かご) — cage, basket (general term)
• 鳥小屋(とりごや) — aviary, bird house (larger structure)
• 水槽(すいそう) — fish tank, aquarium (analogous container for fish)