ホトトギス Japanese meaning | KotomoraMeanings
1
noun
lesser cuckoo
usually written using kana alone
A bird species (Cuculus poliocephalus) known for its distinctive call, often associated with early summer in Japanese poetry. Usually written in kana.
む
。
The lesser cuckoo lays its eggs in the nests of other birds, such as the Japanese bush warbler.
gikun (meaning-based reading) or jukujikun
Hiragana spelling, also common.
時鳥Usage12%
gikun (meaning-based reading) or jukujikun
Literary kanji form; the reading is a jukujikun.
霍公鳥Usage<1%
search-only kanji formgikun (meaning-based reading) or jukujikun
Search-only kanji form.
不如帰
gikun (meaning-based reading) or jukujikun
Ateji spelling with poetic associations; also the title of a famous novel.
杜鵑
gikun (meaning-based reading) or jukujikun
Rare kanji form.
郭公
gikun (meaning-based reading) or jukujikun
Rare kanji form; can also be read かっこう (cuckoo).
Kanji
子child, sign of the rat, 11PM-1AM 公public, prince, official 帰homecoming, arrive at, lead to 郭enclosure, quarters, fortification
Similar words
- カッコウ
Refers to the common cuckoo (Cuculus canorus), a different species with a similar brood parasitic behavior. ホトトギス is specifically the lesser cuckoo.
- ウグイス
The Japanese bush warbler, a common host for the lesser cuckoo's eggs. Often mentioned together in literature.
Etymology
The name ホトトギス is of Japanese origin, likely onomatopoeic from the bird's call. The kanji forms are mostly ateji or literary borrowings from Chinese.
