also: あめんぼう
pond skater; water strider
Refers to any insect of the family Gerridae, commonly seen skating on the surface of ponds and slow streams.
There are many pond skaters on the pond.
アメンボは水面をすいすいと動く。
The water strider glides smoothly over the water surface.
Asclepios shiranui (species of pond skater)
Katakana spelling is common for this insect name; usually written in kana.
Hiragana spelling, also common.
Katakana spelling for the longer reading あめんぼう.
Hiragana spelling for the longer reading あめんぼう.
Rare kanji spelling; 黽 is not a standard Jōyō kanji.
Rare kanji spelling; literally 'water horse'.
Rare kanji spelling; literally 'candy boy', possibly ateji.
Traditionally derived from 飴 “syrup, candy” and 坊, an affectionate naming element, because the insect was associated with a sweet smell.