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.
夏休みに昆虫採集をした。
I went bug collecting over summer vacation.
兄は昆虫採集が趣味だ。
My older brother's hobby is insect collecting.
息子は昆虫採集を自由研究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 (insect) + 採集 (gathering, collecting). A classic summer-vacation activity in Japan, often combined with a 自由研究 (independent research) school assignment.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 昆虫採集に行く: to go bug collecting
- 昆虫採集セット: insect-collecting kit (net, case, etc.)
- 夏休みの昆虫採集: summer-vacation insect collecting
CULTURAL CONTEXT:
The stereotypical kit includes a 虫取り網 (insect net) and a 虫かご (insect cage). Popular target insects include 蝉 (cicadas), 蝶 (butterflies), and カブトムシ (rhinoceros beetles).