also: はた
noun
Refers to the toy flown in the wind. The reading たこ is standard; はた is rare.
子供たちは公園で凧を揚げている。
The children are flying kites in the park.
正月に凧揚げをするのが楽しみです。
I look forward to flying kites at New Year's.
Kana spelling is common in everyday writing, especially for children or when the kanji is not needed.
Rare kanji form; it is rarely used.
Rare kanji form; it is rarely used.
Compound noun meaning 'kite flying'; 凧 is the kite itself.
The kanji 凧 is a kokuji (Japanese-made character) combining 巾 (cloth) and 風 (wind) abbreviated, reflecting the object. The reading たこ is of uncertain origin, possibly related to 蛸 (octopus) due to the shape of traditional kites, but this is speculative.