昆虫採集(こんちゅうさいしゅう)

こんちゅうさいしゅう
noun
insect collecting
actionnature
1. insect collecting; bug collecting
The activity of catching and preserving insects, traditionally a popular summer hobby for Japanese children, often as a school break project.
夏休(なつやす)みに昆虫採集(こんちゅうさいしゅう)をした。
I went bug collecting over summer vacation.
兄(あに)は昆虫採集(こんちゅうさいしゅう)が趣味(しゅみ)だ。
My older brother's hobby is insect collecting.
息子(むすこ)は昆虫採集(こんちゅうさいしゅう)を自由(じゆう)研究(けんきゅう)のテーマにすることにした。
My son decided to make insect collecting the theme of his summer research project.

Compound of 昆虫(こんちゅう) (insect) + 採集(さいしゅう) (gathering, collecting). A classic summer-vacation activity in Japan, often combined with a 自由(じゆう)研究(けんきゅう) (independent research) school assignment.

Common collocations

  • 昆虫採集(こんちゅうさいしゅう)に行(い)く: to go bug collecting
  • 昆虫採集(こんちゅうさいしゅう)セット: insect-collecting kit (net, case, etc.)
  • 夏休(なつやす)みの昆虫採集(こんちゅうさいしゅう): summer-vacation insect collecting

Cultural note

The stereotypical kit includes a 虫取(むしと)り網(あみ) (insect net) and a 虫(むし)かご (insect cage). Popular target insects include 蝉(せみ) (cicadas), 蝶(ちょう) (butterflies), and カブトムシ (rhinoceros beetles).