Japanese word

ひばり

Pronunciation

Romajihibari

Meaning

  • nounskylark

Example

朝、ひばりの声が聞こえます。asa hi ba ri no koe ga ki ko e ma su

I can hear a skylark in the morning.

Illustration for ひばり (skylark)

More examples

春になると、野原でひばりが高く鳴きます。haru ni na ru to no hara de hi ba ri ga taka ku na ki ma su

A skylark sings high over the fields in spring.

Core concept

Refers to a small bird whose clear song comes from high in the sky as it flies, creating a strong link between flight and birdsong.

Common phrases

  • ひばりの鳴き声hi ba ri no na ki goe

    skylark's call

  • ひばりが鳴くhi ba ri ga na ku

    a skylark sings

Definition in Japanese

空高く飛び上がってさえずる、身近な小鳥。sora taka ku to bi a ga tte sa e zu ru mi jika na ko tori

Word origin

The origin of the native Japanese word ひばり (hibari) is uncertain, and the kanji spelling 雲雀 (hibari) does not show that the word arose from those characters.

Usage tips

  • In English, skylark is also a verb meaning to play or fool around, so the word has a non-bird sense that differs from the Japanese noun.

Word lists with this word