口笛(くちぶえ)

くちぶえ
noun
whistle; whistling
1. whistle; whistling
The act of producing a musical or signaling sound by blowing air through pursed lips, or the sound itself.
口笛(くちぶえ)を吹(ふ)く。
To whistle.
彼(かれ)は楽(たの)しそうに口笛(くちぶえ)を吹(ふ)いていた。
He was happily whistling.
犬(いぬ)を呼(よ)ぶために口笛(くちぶえ)を吹(ふ)いたが、聞(き)こえなかったようだ。
I whistled to call the dog, but it didn't seem to hear me.

A compound of 口(くち) (mouth) and 笛(ふえ) (flute/whistle). Refers to the sound made by blowing air through pursed lips, whether for music, signaling, or casual amusement.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 口笛(くちぶえ)を吹(ふ)く: to whistle
  • 口笛(くちぶえ)で曲(きょく)を吹(ふ)く: to whistle a tune
  • 口笛(くちぶえ)が上手(じょうず): good at whistling

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 笛(ふえ): flute or whistle (instrument) — refers to an actual instrument rather than whistling with the lips
  • 警笛(けいてき): warning whistle or horn — a mechanical device, not produced by mouth

CULTURAL NOTE:
In Japan, whistling at night is traditionally considered bad luck, as it is said to attract snakes or evil spirits (夜(よる)に口笛(くちぶえ)を吹(ふ)くと蛇(へび)が来(く)る).

general
Added 2026.4.7 6:22
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