角 笛(つのぶえ)

つのぶえ

noun

horn (musical instrument); hunting horn

1. a horn — a simple wind instrument originally made from an animal horn, used for signaling or as a musical instrument

Refers to a horn instrument, traditionally made from the horn of an animal such as an ox or goat. In Japanese it evokes images of shepherds, hunters, or pre-modern European settings. Modern metal horns such as those in orchestras are usually called ホルン instead.

遠(とお)くで角笛(つのぶえ)が鳴(な)った。

A horn sounded in the distance.

羊飼(ひつじか)いが角笛(つのぶえ)を吹(ふ)いて羊(ひつじ)を集(あつ)めた。

The shepherd blew his horn to gather the sheep.

森(もり)の奥(おく)から狩人(かりゅうど)の角笛(つのぶえ)の音(おと)が聞(き)こえてきた。

The sound of a hunter's horn could be heard coming from deep in the forest.

戦(たたか)いの合図(あいず)として角笛(つのぶえ)が高(たか)らかに吹(ふ)き鳴(な)らされた。

A horn was blown loudly as the signal for battle.

Literally "horn" (角(つの)) + "flute/wind instrument" (笛(ふえ)). Refers to a simple wind instrument made from or shaped like an animal's horn. Often appears in stories, fairy tales, and historical contexts rather than modern daily life.

Usage

Typically played with the verb 吹(ふ)く ("to blow"): 角笛(つのぶえ)を吹(ふ)く.
Describing the sound uses 鳴(な)る (for the horn sounding) or 響(ひび)く (resonating).
Frequently associated with shepherds (羊飼(ひつじか)い), hunters (狩人(かりゅうど)), and pre-modern European or fantasy settings.

Common collocations

角笛(つのぶえ)を吹(ふ)く: to blow a horn
角笛(つのぶえ)が鳴(な)る: a horn sounds
角笛(つのぶえ)の音(おと): the sound of a horn
狩(か)りの角笛(つのぶえ): hunting horn

Similar words

ホルン: horn — refers to the modern brass orchestral instrument (French horn, etc.).
笛(ふえ): a general word for flute or whistle — includes many kinds of wind instruments.
法螺貝(ほらがい): conch-shell horn — a traditional Japanese signaling instrument used by warriors and mountain ascetics.

Related Words

Compare: ホルン (horn)

general

Added 2026.4.15 22:02 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02

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