うさぎ
Meanings
1
usually written using kana alone
General term for rabbits and hares; in everyday Japanese, the distinction between rabbit and hare is often not made unless specified.
I found a white rabbit in the park.
Rabbits have long ears.
Usage patterns
- 〈人〉がうさぎを飼うfor someone to keep a rabbit (as a pet)
My little sister keeps a rabbit at home.
- うさぎが跳ねるfor a rabbit to hop
A rabbit is hopping around in the garden.
Expressions
- 月の兎moon rabbit; moon hare
- 狐死して兎泣くpeople have sympathy for kindred in distress
- 兎死すれば狐これを悲しむpeople sympathize with their own kind in misfortune