crane, stork
On'yomi (音読み)
- カク
Kun'yomi (訓読み)
- つる
About this kanji
The kanji 鶴 (tsuru) primarily means "crane" or "stork," referring to large, long-legged birds often seen in both art and nature. While it can serve as a noun on its own, you’ll also find it used in several compounds. For instance, 鶴嘴 (つるはし, tsuruhashi) means "pickaxe," showing a tool's shape resembling a crane's beak. Another interesting compound is 鶴首 (かくしゅ, kakushu), which metaphorically describes someone eagerly looking forward to something, much like how cranes gracefully stretch their necks. Interestingly, the crane is a significant symbol in Japanese culture, often associated with good fortune and longevity.
Example sentences
鶴は幸運の象徴とされる。
The crane is considered a symbol of good fortune.
Meanings across languages
- English
- crane, stork
- Tiếng Việt
- sếu
- 日本語
- 鶴
- 한국어
- 학
- 中文
- 鹤
- id
- abang, bangau
- th
- นกกระเรียน, นกอีมู
- es
- grúa, cigüeña
- fr
- grue, cigogne
- de
- Kranich, Storch
- pt
- crane, cigogne
Common compounds
- 鶴嘴つるはしpickaxe, pickax, pick
- 鶴首かくしゅlooking forward to
- 真鶴まなづるwhite-naped crane (Grus vipio)
- 冠鶴カンムリヅルblack crowned crane (Balearica pavonina)
- 黒鶴くろづるcommon crane (Grus grus)
- 紅鶴べにづるflamingo (Phoenicopteridae)
- 鍋鶴なべづるhooded crane (Grus monacha)
- 鸛鶴こうづるOriental stork (Ciconia boyciana)
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