鶯(うぐいす)

うぐいす
noun
Japanese bush warbler; uguisu
natureanimal-bird
1. Japanese bush warbler (Horornis diphone)
A small olive-brown bird native to Japan, famous for its distinctive call ホーホケキョ. Associated with spring and considered one of Japan's most beloved birds.
鶯(うぐいす)が鳴(な)いている。
A bush warbler is singing.
春(はる)になると鶯(うぐいす)の声(こえ)が聞(き)こえてくる。
When spring comes, you can hear the voice of the bush warbler.
早朝(そうちょう)、庭(にわ)の梅(うめ)の木(き)に止(と)まった鶯(うぐいす)がホーホケキョと鳴(な)き、春(はる)の訪(おとず)れを告(つ)げた。
Early in the morning, a bush warbler perched on the plum tree in the garden and called "hōhokekyo," announcing the arrival of spring.

The uguisu is considered a herald of spring in Japanese culture. Its call ホーホケキョ is one of the most recognized bird sounds in Japan.

Cultural note

  • 鶯(うぐいす)は春告鳥(はるつげどり) (spring-heralding bird) as a poetic name
  • 梅(うめ)に鶯(うぐいす) (梅(うめ)と鶯(うぐいす)): plum blossom and bush warbler — a classic pairing in Japanese art and poetry symbolizing early spring
  • 鶯(うぐいす)の初音(はつね): the first call of the bush warbler in the new year — a classic seasonal theme

Common expressions

general
Added 2026.6.10 21:31 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
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