十姉妹(じゅうしまつ)

じゅうしまつ
noun
society finch; Bengalese finch
animal-bird
1. society finch; Bengalese finch
A small domesticated finch (Lonchura striata domestica) kept as a pet in Japan since the Edo period. Known for its sociable nature and willingness to foster the chicks of other finch species.
十姉妹(じゅうしまつ)を飼(か)っている。
I keep society finches.
十姉妹(じゅうしまつ)は大人(おとな)しくて飼(か)いやすい鳥(とり)だ。
Society finches are docile and easy birds to keep.
江戸時代(えどじだい)から愛玩用(あいがんよう)として改良(かいりょう)されてきた十姉妹(じゅうしまつ)は、今(いま)も人気(にんき)の小鳥(ことり)だ。
The society finch, bred as a pet since the Edo period, is still a popular small bird today.

Written with the kanji for 十(じゅう) (ten) + 姉妹(しまつ) (sisters), reflecting the bird's habit of huddling together in close groups. Kept primarily as a pet rather than for show or song.

Common collocations

  • 十姉妹(じゅうしまつ)を飼(か)う: to keep society finches
  • 十姉妹(じゅうしまつ)の巣(す): a society finch's nest
  • つがいの十姉妹(じゅうしまつ): a pair of society finches

Cultural note

Bred in Japan for over 200 years, the society finch is often used by breeders as a foster parent for the eggs and chicks of other, more delicate finch species such as the Gouldian finch.

Related Words

Compare: 文鳥(ぶんちょう) (Java sparrow (pet bird))
general
Added 2026.5.28 12:07 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
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