兎（うさぎ、usagi）
- rabbit

The word 兎 (うさぎ) means "rabbit" or "hare" in English. It refers to a small, long-eared mammal with a fluffy tail, known for its hopping gait. ⚫︎ It is a common animal found worldwide and is often associated with traits like gentleness, speed, and fertility. ⚫︎ In Japanese culture, the rabbit is a symbol of luck and prosperity.

⚫︎ あの公園にはたくさんのうさぎがいます。 Translation: There are many rabbits in that park. ⚫︎ 子供はうさぎのぬいぐるみを抱きしめた。 Translation: The child hugged a rabbit stuffed animal. ⚫︎ うさぎ兎はニンジンが好きです。 Translation: Rabbits like carrots.

⚫︎ You use 兎 in conversations to refer to the animal itself. ⚫︎ It can be used in various contexts, such as describing animals, talking about pet ownership, or even in metaphorical senses. ⚫︎ It is suitable for everyday conversations.

⚫︎ The standard way to write "rabbit" in Japanese is with the kanji 兎. ⚫︎ The reading in hiragana is うさぎ. ⚫︎ There are no other common ways to write this word. ⚫︎ Okurigana (the suffix hiragana) is typically not used, as the kanji 兎is sufficient. ⚫︎ In casual contexts, you'll primarily see it written as うさぎ.

There are no direct synonyms for "rabbit" in the same way, but related terms might include: ⚫︎ 野ウサギ (のうさぎ) - hare (lit. "wild rabbit")

There aren't specific antonyms for "rabbit" as it's a noun.

白い兎が庭を駆け回っているのを見た。 ・Translation: I saw a white rabbit running around the garden. ・Explanation: This sentence describes the action of a rabbit.

私は小さい頃、兎を飼っていました。 ・Translation: I had a rabbit when I was little. ・Explanation: This sentence talks about pet ownership in the past.

The kanji 兎 originally came from Chinese. The exact etymological breakdown is complex, but it's related to the shape and characteristics of a 兎. The shape is likely an abstraction of a rabbit's body.