also: つばくらめ · つばくら · つばくろ
swallow; martin
General term for swallows and martins (family Hirundinidae). Sense 2 specifies the barn swallow (Hirundo rustica), the most common species in Japan.
In spring, the swallows come back to build their nests.
I found a swallow's nest under the eaves.
younger man in an age-gap relationship; boy toy
Slang for a younger man romantically involved with an older woman. Often used in the phrase 若い燕 (わかいつばめ).
See also: 若い燕
She showed up at the party with a younger boyfriend.
Swallows built a nest under the eaves.
Swallows arrive when spring comes.
swiftlet
powdered oakblue (butterfly) · purple martin (bird)
tree swallow (Tachycineta bicolor)
swift (bird of family Apodidae) · fork-tailed swift; Pacific swift
sand martin; bank swallow
Katakana spelling, often used in biological contexts or for emphasis.
Kana spelling is very common.
Obsolete kana form; not used in modern Japanese.
Obsolete kana form; not used in modern Japanese.
Obsolete kana form; not used in modern Japanese.