虻
あ
ぶ
Meanings
1
horsefly; gadfly
usually written using kana alone
Refers to large biting flies of the family Tabanidae, especially those that bother livestock and humans.
In summer, many horseflies appear at the pasture.
I was bitten by a horsefly and my arm swelled up.
Usage patterns
- 〈人〉が虻に刺されるto be bitten/stung by a horsefly
I got bitten by a horsefly at the ranch.
- 虻を追うto chase away/swat at a horsefly
The cow is swishing its tail to chase away the horseflies.
Expressions
- 虻蜂取らずtrying to do two things at once and failing at both; falling between two stools