Japanese word

蝶

Pronunciation

Romajichō

Meaning

  • nounbutterfly

Example

庭に蝶がいます。niwa ni chō ga i ma su

There is a butterfly in the garden.

Illustration for 蝶 (butterfly)

More examples

きれいな蝶を見ました。ki re i na chō o mi ma shi ta

I saw a beautiful butterfly.

春になると、庭に色鮮やかな蝶が飛んできます。haru ni na ru to niwa ni iro aza ya ka na chō ga to n de ki ma su

In spring, colorful butterflies fly into the garden.

Core concept

Describes a delicate flying insect recognized by its colorful wings and its gentle movement from flower to flower.

Common phrases

  • 蝶を見るchō o mi ru

    see a butterfly

  • 蝶を捕まえるchō o tsuka ma e ru

    catch a butterfly

  • 蝶の羽chō no hane

    butterfly wings

Definition in Japanese

花の蜜を吸い、色や模様のある翅でひらひらと飛ぶ昆虫。hana no mitsu o su i iro ya mo yō no a ru hane de hi ra hi ra to to bu kon chū

Word origin

The noun 蝶 (chō, "butterfly") comes from the Chinese character 蝶 (dié, "butterfly"), while modern Chinese commonly uses 蝴蝶 (húdié, "butterfly") as the name of the insect.

Usage tips

  • In cooking English, to butterfly meat means to cut it open so it lies flat, a use based on the spread shape of a butterfly's wings.

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