also: トンビ
black kite (bird)
A common bird of prey in Japan, often seen circling in the sky. The reading とんび is more common than とび in everyday speech.
A black kite was circling in the sky over the beach.
construction worker; scaffold erector; firefighter
Only with reading とび
Abbreviation of 鳶職 (とびしょく). Refers to workers who erect scaffolding or perform high-rise construction and firefighting. Only used with the reading とび.
See also: 鳶職
Only with reading とび
Abbreviation of 鳶口 (とびぐち). A hooked tool used in firefighting. Only used with the reading とび.
See also: 鳶口
Only with reading とび
Abbreviation of 鳶色 (とびいろ). A dark reddish-brown color, like the feathers of a black kite. Only used with the reading とび.
See also: 鳶色
Inverness cape
Only with reading とんび
Abbreviation of 鳶合羽 (とんびがっぱ). A type of cape with a high collar, traditionally worn by men. Only used with the reading とんび.
See also: 鳶合羽
Only with reading とんび
Slang term for a petty thief who steals small items, likened to a kite snatching food. Only used with the reading とんび.
When he was young, he worked as a scaffold erector.
The firefighter used a fire hook to clear the debris.
An old man wearing a reddish-brown haori was walking.
An old Inverness cape was found among my grandfather's belongings.
I had my wallet stolen by a sneak thief at the market.
The full term for the reddish-brown color; 鳶 is the abbreviation.
The full term for the Inverness cape; とんび is the abbreviation.
swallow-tailed kite
common buzzard
red kite (Milvus milvus)
fire hook; firefighter's hook
crane chaser; dogman
scaffolding worker; rigger; fitter
reddish brown; auburn
Japanese eagle ray
spotted eagle ray
construction worker's baggy trousers
Common kana spelling for the bird and most derived senses; usually written in kana.
Kanji form; rarely used in modern writing. The reading とんび is not normally associated with this kanji.
Katakana spelling, often used in casual or emphatic contexts.
Alternate reading; used for the bird and some derived terms, but とんび is more common.
Katakana spelling for the とび reading.
Alternate kanji; very rare.
Alternate kanji; very rare.
The word originally referred to the black kite bird. The reading とんび is a sound shift from とび. Many derived meanings come from abbreviations of compound words containing 鳶.