ι³₯

JLPT N4

Bird

Readings

On’yomi: チョウ (chou)
Kun’yomi: γ¨γ‚Š (tori)
β€’ γ¨γ‚Š (tori) – bird

Vocabulary

ι³₯
γ¨γ‚Š
bird
小ι³₯
γ“γ¨γ‚Š
small bird
ι‡Žι³₯
やけょう
wild bird
焼きι³₯
γ‚„γγ¨γ‚Š
grilled chicken
ι³₯肉
γ¨γ‚Šγ«γ
chicken meat

Example Sentences

ι³₯γŒι£›γ³γΎγ™γ€‚
γ¨γ‚Š が とびます。
Birds fly.
小ι³₯γŒι³΄γγΎγ™γ€‚
γ“γ¨γ‚Š が γͺきます。
Small birds chirp.
ι‡Žι³₯γ‚’θ¦³ε―Ÿγ—γΎγ™γ€‚
やけょう γ‚’ かんさ぀ します。
I observe wild birds.
焼きι³₯γ‚’ι£ŸγΉγΎγ™γ€‚
γ‚„γγ¨γ‚Š γ‚’ γŸγΉγΎγ™γ€‚
I eat grilled chicken.
ι³₯肉を買います。
γ¨γ‚Šγ«γ γ‚’ かいます。
I buy chicken meat.

Cultural Note

🐧
β€’ Cranes (ιΆ΄ / ぀る) symbolize longevity and good fortune β€” they appear in weddings and origami.
β€’ Crows (烏 / からす) are messengers of the gods in Shinto mythology, such as the sacred Yatagarasu (八咫烏).
β€’ Roosters (颏 / γ«γ‚γ¨γ‚Š) are considered sacred in Shinto shrines, often seen near Ise Jingu.
β€’ Bird motifs appear in poetry (δΏ³ε₯), kimono patterns, and Japanese art to represent freedom, nature, and the changing seasons.
Even popular dishes like 焼きι³₯ (yakitori) reflect Japan’s deep historical connection with birds β€” both as symbols and as part of daily life.