羽はばたく

は

ば

た

く

JLPTN1Freq.FrequencyTop 50,000

Meanings

1

godan verb (-ku), intransitive verb

flap wings

Describes a bird or insect moving its wings up and down, especially when taking off or hovering.

2

godan verb (-ku), intransitive verb

Figurative use: a person leaves a familiar environment to seek new opportunities or independence. Often used in encouraging contexts.

羽はばたくUsage59%
Standard kanji spelling; the most common written form.
はばたくUsage32%
羽搏はばたくUsage7%
rarely-used kanji form
Rarely used kanji form; learners are unlikely to encounter it.
羽撃はばたくUsage1%
rarely-used kanji form
Rarely used kanji form; learners are unlikely to encounter it.
翔はばたくUsage1%
search-only kanji form
Search-only kanji form; not a standard spelling.

飛とび立たつ
飛び立つ focuses on the moment of taking off into flight, while 羽ばたく emphasizes the wing-flapping action itself or the metaphorical act of launching into a new phase.

Compound of 羽 (は, 'wing') + ばたく, where ばたく is a voiced form of はたく ('to flap, beat'). The voicing (rendaku) is regular for such compounds.

soar, fly