羽ばたく · godan verb (-ku)
| Form | Positive | Negative |
|---|---|---|
| Dictionary | 羽ばたく | 羽ばたかない |
| Polite | 羽ばたきます | 羽ばたきません |
| Past polite | 羽ばたきました | 羽ばたきませんでした |
| Past | 羽ばたいた | 羽ばたかなかった |
| Te-form | 羽ばたいて | 羽ばたかないで |
| Desire | 羽ばたきたい | 羽ばたきたくない |
| Potential | 羽ばたける | 羽ばたけない |
| Passive | 羽ばたかれる | 羽ばたかれない |
| Causative | 羽ばたかせる | 羽ばたかせない |
| Causative passive | 羽ばたかせられるalso 羽ばたかされる | 羽ばたかせられないalso 羽ばたかされない |
| Volitional | 羽ばたこう | |
| Polite volitional | 羽ばたきましょう | |
| Imperative | 羽ばたけ | 羽ばたくな |
| Conditional | 羽ばたけば | 羽ばたかなければ |
| Tara conditional | 羽ばたいたら | 羽ばたかなかったら |
godan verb (-ku), intransitive verb
flap wings
Describes a bird or insect moving its wings up and down, especially when taking off or hovering.
鳥が羽ばたいて空へ飛び立った。
The bird flapped its wings and took off into the sky.
ハチドリは素早く羽ばたく。
Hummingbirds flap their wings rapidly.
godan verb (-ku), intransitive verb
spread one's wings; go out into the world
Figurative use: a person leaves a familiar environment to seek new opportunities or independence. Often used in encouraging contexts.
彼は故郷を離れ、都会で羽ばたこうとしている。
He left his hometown, trying to spread his wings in the city.
若者たちが世界に羽ばたく日を応援しています。
I'm cheering for the day when young people go out into the world.
The bird flapped its wings and took off from the tree.
She boldly spread her wings and went out into the world.
After graduation, I want to go out and make my mark overseas.
独立する neutrally means becoming independent, whereas 羽ばたく is a figurative, uplifting expression for leaving the nest to seek new horizons.
Rarely used kanji form; learners are unlikely to encounter it.
Search-only kanji form; not a standard spelling.