Refers to wild geese, especially migratory species such as the greater white-fronted goose. Often appears in seasonal contexts and literature.
In autumn, wild geese migrate from the north.
A flock of wild geese was flying in a V-formation in the sky.
雁 refers to larger migratory geese, while 鴨 refers to smaller ducks commonly seen on ponds and rivers.
雁 are migratory geese, whereas 白鳥 (swans) are larger waterfowl with long necks and a different silhouette.
counter for birds; counter for rabbits
kanji radical 27 (cliff radical)
binding hand and foot; trussing up · tied down; shackled; restricted
bowl and shank of a Japanese pipe · neck; head
rakugan; pressed dry confection · geese alighting
solitary wild goose; lone goose
wild geese returning north in spring
snow goose; blue goose
greater white-fronted goose
flying goose; passing wild goose
bustard; great bustard
Standard kanji spelling; commonly used in news and general writing.
Katakana spelling used in field guides or when emphasizing the bird as a species.
Rarely used kanji form; learners should recognize but not actively use.
The kanji 雁 is a picto-phonetic character combining 厂 (cliff) and 隹 (bird) with 人 (person), suggesting a bird that flies in formation like people lining up. The reading がん is the Sino-Japanese on'yomi.
area below the pectoral muscle
letter; epistle
zigzag pattern; zigzag formation · steps down from a pier; landing steps · snow-sheltered walkway; eaved passage · large lumberjack's saw; pit saw
claw hoe; coal-trimming rake