Japanese word

はえ

Pronunciation

Romajihae

Meaning

  • nounfly

Example

食べ物にはえがとまりました。ta be mono ni ha e ga to ma ri ma shi ta

A fly landed on the food.

Illustration for はえ (fly)

More examples

台所にはえが入らないよう、網戸を閉めています。dai dokoro ni ha e ga hai ra na i yō ami do o shi me te i ma su

I keep the screen door closed so flies do not enter the kitchen.

Core concept

Centers on the common fly as an insect that moves through the air and settles on nearby objects.

Common phrases

  • はえを追い払うha e o o i hara u

    drive away a fly

  • はえを捕まえるha e o tsuka ma e ru

    catch a fly

  • はえがたかるha e ga ta ka ru

    flies swarm

Definition in Japanese

羽で飛び、食べ物などにとまる身近な昆虫。hane de to bi ta be mono na do ni to ma ru mi jika na kon chū

Word origin

The native noun はえ (hae, "fly") is associated with the traditional written form 蠅 (hae, "fly"), but the original word formation is uncertain.

Usage tips

  • English uses fly for both the insect and the action of moving through the air, but はえ (hae) is a noun restricted to the insect meaning.

Word lists with this word