Translation guide
A bur is a prickly seed case or plant part that clings to fur or clothing. In Japanese, the most common word is くっつき虫, a child-friendly term for these sticky plant parts. There are also specific plant names like オナモミ (cocklebur) and general terms like ひっつき虫.
The learner wants to refer to the small, spiky plant part that clings to fabric or animal fur, often encountered outdoors.
A common, child-friendly term for any plant bur that sticks to clothing or fur. Literally 'sticky bug', but refers to the seed. Used in everyday conversation.
ズボンにくっつき虫がいっぱいついてるよ。
You've got a lot of burs stuck to your pants.
A variant term for burs, similar to くっつき虫. Also means 'sticky bug'. Used especially in western Japan.
Specifically refers to the cocklebur plant (Xanthium strumarium) and its burs. More botanical or precise than くっつき虫.
オナモミの実は服にくっつきやすい。
Cocklebur fruits easily stick to clothes.
A loanword from English 'burr', used in technical or botanical contexts. Not common in daily speech.
くっつき虫 is the go-to word for burs in casual conversation. It's understood nationwide and is especially common among children. If you want to sound more scientific, use オナモミ for cockleburs specifically, or the loanword バリ in botanical contexts.
散歩から帰ったら、犬の毛にひっつき虫がたくさんついてた。
When we got back from the walk, there were lots of burs in the dog's fur.
The burs of this plant are carried by attaching to animal fur.