触角（しょっかく、shoっkaku）
- antenna

The Japanese word 触角 (しょっかく, shokkaku) refers to the antennae of insects and other arthropods. It's the sensory organ used for feeling, smelling, and sometimes tasting, and also for sensing vibrations and air currents. The word literally translates to "touch corner" or "feelers."

⚫︎ 虫の触角 Translation: insect's antennae ⚫︎ カブトムシの触角 Translation: beetle's antennae ⚫︎ 触角で周りの状況を把握する。 Translation: To grasp the surrounding situation with the antennae.

This word is used when discussing the antennae of insects, crustaceans, and other similar creatures. It's common in biology, nature, and scientific contexts, but can also be used in everyday conversation if you are talking about bugs or their features.

⚫︎ The word 触角 is typically written with kanji: 触角 ⚫︎ The reading is しょっかく in hiragana.

There aren't many direct synonyms in Japanese for 触角. The focus is always the same thing, the antennae. However, in a broader sense, you could refer to an insect’s "sensory organs" (感覚器官, kankaku kikan) or "feelers."

There aren't direct antonyms for 触角.

蝶は触角を使って花の蜜を探します。 ・Translation: Butterflies use their antennae to find nectar from flowers. ・Explanation: This sentence explains how butterflies use their antennae (触角) in their daily lives.

この昆虫の触角はとても長いです。 ・Translation: This insect's antennae are very long. ・Explanation: This sentence describes the physical characteristic of an insect's antennae.

The word 触角 is composed of two kanji: 触 (shoku), meaning "touch" or "feel," and 角 (kaku), meaning "horn," "corner," or "antenna." Therefore, it literally means "touch corner" reflecting the function of these body parts.