Japanese Conversation · Level 118
60 words
Japanese word
蝉
Pronunciation
Romajisemi
Meaning
- nouncicada
Example
朝から蝉の声が聞こえます。asa ka ra semi no koe ga ki ko e ma su
I can hear cicadas from early morning.
More examples
子どもたちは公園で蝉を見つけました。ko do mo ta chi wa kō en de semi o mi tsu ke ma shi ta
The children found a cicada in the park.
Core concept
Refers to an insect known for its loud seasonal call, especially in the warm months.
Common phrases
蝉の声semi no koe
cicada song
蝉の鳴き声semi no na ki goe
cicada call
蝉の抜け殻semi no nu ke gara
cicada shell
Definition in Japanese
夏に大きな鳴き声を立てる昆虫。natsu ni ō ki na na ki goe o ta te ru kon chū
Word origin
蝉 (semi) is a native Japanese word, while the kanji 蝉 (sen, "cicada") was adopted from Chinese; the word's older origin is uncertain.
Usage tips
- In English, cicada often appears in accounts of periodical cicadas, which emerge in large numbers after 13 or 17 years underground.