How to say "rabbit" in Japanese
"Rabbit" in Japanese is うさぎ (usagi), usually written in hiragana.
▶ plays native audio. Audio on this site plays when you are logged in to your free japanese.ccn.jp account (the same account as Japanese Talk by CCN).
Ways to say "rabbit" in Japanese
| Japanese | When to use it |
|---|---|
| うさぎうさぎ · usagi | Rabbit. |
| 兎うさぎ · usagi | Rabbit (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 羽 (wa), like birds, though 匹 (hiki) is common today.
Example sentences
- うさぎを飼っています。Usagi o katte imasu.I have a pet rabbit.
- 月にうさぎがいると言われています。Tsuki ni usagi ga iru to iwarete imasu.People say there's a rabbit on the moon.
- 子どもがうさぎを抱いています。Kodomo ga usagi o daite imasu.The child is holding a rabbit.
- このうさぎは白くてかわいいです。Kono usagi wa shirokute kawaii desu.This rabbit is white and cute.
- 動物園でうさぎに触りました。Dōbutsuen de usagi ni sawarimashita.I petted a rabbit at the zoo.
- うさぎが二匹います。Usagi ga nihiki imasu.There are two rabbits.
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.
Executive Japanese by CCN is one-on-one online Japanese for managers and directors doing business in Japan.