翼
also: よく
Meanings
General term for a bird's wing, an aircraft wing, or a wing-like part. Also used metaphorically for a person's 'wings' (ability to act freely).
The bird spread its wings and took off.
Ice had formed on the airplane's wings.
Chinese "Wings" constellation
Only with reading よく
Astronomical term for one of the 28 Chinese lunar mansions, read よく. Part of the Vermilion Bird (朱雀) group.
One of the 28 mansions is 翼, read as よく.
counter for birds or bird wings
Only with reading よく
Archaic counter, read よく. Not used in modern Japanese; replaced by 羽 (わ) or other counters.
In classical texts, 翼 was sometimes read as よく and used to count birds.
Usage patterns
- 〈鳥〉が翼をはためかせる(a bird) flaps its wings
The swan flapped its wings and took off over the lake.
- 翼をもがれるto have one's wings clipped (fig. to lose one's freedom or ability to act)
Forced to quit the company, he felt as if his wings had been clipped.