Meaning

Primary

Bird

Word Type

noun

Explanation

The kanji and the word are exactly the same. That means they share meanings as well.

Reading

とり
  • Kyoko
    (Tokyo accent, female)
  • Kenichi
    (Tokyo accent, male)

Explanation

Since this word is made up of a single kanji, it should use the kun'yomi reading. When learning the kanji, you didn't learn that reading, so here's a mnemonic to help you with this word:

When you think about birds, what is the most common bird you can think of? What bird do you hate the most or like eating the most? Either one will work. Now, imagine yourself going up to that bird. You did something terrible. You tore (とり) off its wing and started eating it (pretend it's cooked first, if that makes you less nauseous).

Context

Patterns of Use

Common Word Combinations

  • 鳥がいる

    there is a bird

    鳥がなく

    the bird cries

    鳥が来る

    a bird comes

Context Sentences

あの鳥は、アメリカンイーグルです。

That bird is an American eagle.

空にいる鳥が点のように見えます。

The birds in the sky look like dots.

お父さん、車に鳥のフンがついてるよ。

Dad, there's bird poop on the car.

Kanji Composition