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Japanese dictionary

How to say "rabbit" in Japanese

うさぎ · usagi

"Rabbit" in Japanese is うさぎ (usagi), usually written in hiragana.

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Ways to say "rabbit" in Japanese

JapaneseWhen to use it
うさぎ · usagiRabbit.
うさぎ · usagiRabbit (kanji form).

How to use it

In Japanese folklore, people see a rabbit making rice cakes on the moon, not a face.

Rabbits are traditionally counted with (wa), like birds, though (hiki) is common today.

Example sentences

Questions

Why do Japanese people see a rabbit on the moon?

In Japanese folklore, the shapes on the moon look like a rabbit pounding rice cakes, mochi.

How do you count rabbits in Japanese?

Today most people use 匹 (hiki). The traditional counter is 羽 (wa), the same as birds.

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