ひな
Meanings
1
usually written using kana alone
Refers to a baby bird, especially one that is still in the nest or recently hatched. Often used in contrast to ひよこ, which can refer to a slightly older chick.
See also: ひよこ
The chicks are chirping in the nest.
I found a baby sparrow.
2
hina doll; Girls' Festival doll
Refers to the ornamental dolls displayed during the Hinamatsuri (Girls' Festival) on March 3rd. Often used in compounds like ひな人形.
We display hina dolls for the Girls' Festival.
I inherited old hina dolls from my grandmother.
Usage patterns
- 雛が卵から孵るfor a chick to hatch from an egg
The chick hatched from its egg in the nest.
- 雛を飾るto display hina dolls (for Girls' Festival)
Many households display hina dolls on March 3rd.
- 〈人〉が雛に餌をやるfor someone to feed a young bird
The mother bird is feeding her chick.
- 雛をしまうto put away the hina dolls after the festival
We put away the hina dolls after the festival ends.