鳩
Meanings
1
General term for pigeons and doves; in Japanese, no strict distinction like in English. Often seen in parks and urban areas.
I fed bread crumbs to the pigeons in the park.
Doves are used as a symbol of peace.
Usage patterns
- 鳩に〈物〉をやるto feed pigeons (something)
I fed bread to the pigeons in the park.
- 鳩が鳴くfor a pigeon/dove to coo
A pigeon is cooing on the roof.
Expressions
- 鳩を飛ばすfly a pigeon
- 鷹化して鳩となるhawks become doves; one of the 72 pentads
- 鳩が豆鉄砲を食ったようwide-eyed in shock; dumbfounded