かげろう
か
げ
ろ
う
Meanings
1
mayfly
usually written using kana alone
Refers to the insect order Ephemeroptera. In everyday use, the kana form かげろう is standard.
On a summer evening, many mayflies were flying above the river.
2
ephemerality; transience of life
usually written using kana alone
Metaphorical use, often in literary or poetic contexts, likening life to the short-lived mayfly. Common in phrases like かげろうの命.
He spoke feelingly that human life is like that of a mayfly.
3
archaicusually written using kana alone
Only when written 蜻蛉
Archaic word for dragonfly. In modern Japanese, トンボ is used instead. The kanji 蜻蛉 is now read as とんぼ or せいれい.
See also: トンボ
In old waka poetry, 蜻蛉 is sometimes read as かげろう.