godan verb (-ru), intransitive verb
hatch; hatch out
Intransitive verb used for eggs hatching or creatures emerging from eggs.
卵が孵るまで温める。
Keep the eggs warm until they hatch.
ひよこが孵った。
The chicks hatched.
Standard kanji spelling for 'to hatch'.
Kana spelling is common in everyday writing, especially when the kanji is considered difficult.
Transitive counterpart meaning 'to hatch (eggs)' or 'to incubate'.
The kanji 孵 is composed of 卵 (egg) and 孚 (to brood). The reading かえる is native Japanese and may be related to 返る (to return), suggesting the idea of life emerging.