巣立ち
Meanings
1
leaving the nest; fledging
Literal use for a young bird leaving its nest. Often appears with birds such as ツバメ or ひな.
Our family watched the swallows leave the nest.
2
going out into the world; becoming independent
Figurative use for a child, student, or young person leaving a protected environment and beginning an independent life.
Graduation day is the day the students go out into the world.
As a parent, a child's becoming independent is both happy and lonely.
Usage patterns
- 巣立ちを迎えるto reach the time of leaving the nest / starting independent life
At the graduation ceremony, the children reach the moment of leaving the nest.
- 〈人〉の巣立ちの日the day someone leaves the nest (e.g., graduation or moving out)
Today is the day my son leaves the nest.
- 〈人〉の巣立ちを見守るto watch over someone as they head out into the world
The teacher watched over her students as they went out into the world.
- 巣立ちの季節the season when young birds (or graduates) leave the nest/home
Spring is the season when swallows leave their nests.