Translation and Meaning of: 鳥 - tori

The Japanese word 鳥[とり] is one of those that immediately catches the attention of those starting to study the language. Easy to pronounce and written with an elegant kanji, it carries meanings and uses that go beyond the basics. If you want to better understand its meaning, origin, and how it appears in everyday Japanese, this article will guide you through essential details. Here at Suki Nihongo, our Japanese dictionary, we prioritize clear and precise explanations for those seeking to truly learn.

Meaning and usage of 鳥[とり]

In modern Japanese, 鳥[とり] simply means "bird" or "fowl." It's a common word used for both general references to birds and in more specific contexts, such as cuisine (for example, chicken is called 鶏肉[とりにく], literally "bird meat"). The simplicity of the term does not diminish its importance in daily vocabulary.

Unlike more technical or poetic words for birds, such as 小鳥[ことり] (little bird) or 猛禽[もうきん] (bird of prey), とり is neutral and versatile. It appears in everyday conversations, restaurant menus, and even in expressions like 鳥居[とりい], the famous gate of Shinto shrines, which symbolizes the transition between the mundane and the sacred.

Origin and writing of the kanji 鳥

The kanji 鳥 has an interesting visual history. Its ancient form, found in Chinese oracle bones, represented a bird with open wings. Over time, the writing was simplified, but it still retains features that resemble feathers and a beak. This type of evolution is common in kanjis that represent elements of nature.

In the composition of the character, it is possible to identify the radical 隹[ふるとり], which is also related to birds. This helps with memorization, since various kanjis with this radical have a connection to birds or flight. For students, noticing these details can make it easier to learn other , such as 鳴[な]く (to sing, to chirp) or 飛[と]ぶ (to fly).

Trivia and memorization tips

A little-known fact is that, in some regional dialects of Japan, とり can take on different nuances. In Okinawa, for example, the influence of Ryukyuan makes the word sound slightly different, although the meaning remains the same. These variations are rare, but they demonstrate the linguistic richness of the country.

To memorize the kanji 鳥, a useful tip is to associate its strokes with a perched bird: the top horizontal stroke represents the wings, while the four small ones below resemble legs. This type of mnemonic visualization is ed by teaching methods such as ing the Kanji by James Heisig, which encourages creating visual stories for the characters.

Vocabulary

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Synonyms and similar words

• 鳥類 (Chōrui) - Class that includes all birds.
• 飛鳥 (Hishō) - Birds that fly, usually referring to migratory birds.
• 飛ぶ動物 (Tobu dōbutsu) - Animals that fly, including birds and insects.
• 翼を持つ動物 (Tsubasa o motsu dōbutsu) - Animals that have wings refers to birds and other flying animals.
• 飛ぶ鳥 (Tobu tori) - Birds that are particularly known for flying.
• 鳥類の一種 (Chōrui no isshu) - A type of bird, highlighting the diversity within the class.
• 鳥類の動物 (Chōrui no dōbutsu) - Animals that belong to the class of birds.
• 鳥の仲間 (Tori no nakama) - Bird group, emphasizing the relationship between them.
• 鳥の一種 (Tori no isshu) - A specific type of bird.
• 鳥の種類 (Tori no shurui) - Different types of birds, encoming diversity.
• 鳥の類 (Tori norui) - It generally refers to families or related groups of birds.
• 鳥の動物 (Tori no dōbutsu) - Animals that are birds.
• 鳥の仲間の一種 (Tori no nakama no isshu) - A type of bird that belongs to a specific group.
• 鳥の一群 (Tori no ikun) - A group of birds, usually in the context of flocks.
• 鳥の群れ (Tori no mure) - Flock of birds, indicating a temporary gathering.
• 鳥の集団 (Tori no shūdan) - A well-organized group of birds.
• 鳥の種類の一つ (Tori no shurui no hitotsu) - One of the types of birds.
• 鳥の種 (Tori no shuu) - Refers to the specific species of bird.
• 鳥の種類の動物 (Tori no shurui no dōbutsu) - Animals that belong to a specific category of birds.
• 鳥の種類の一群 (Tori no shurui no ikun) - A group of birds of a certain species.
• 鳥の種類の群れ (Tori no shurui no mure) - Flock of birds of the same species.
• 鳥の種類の集 (Tori no shurui no shū) - Collection or grouping of various species of birds.