Translation guide
In Japanese, the word for 'hare' is 野ウサギ (nousagi), but it's important to distinguish it from the common rabbit (ウサギ). Hares are less culturally prominent, so the term is more specific and less frequently used.
Referring to the mammal similar to a rabbit but with longer ears and legs, and typically not domesticated.
Literally 'field rabbit', this is the standard term for a hare, distinguishing it from the domesticated or common rabbit.
野ウサギが野原を走っている。
A hare is running across the field.
Katakana version of 野ウサギ, often used in scientific or formal contexts.
ノウサギの生態を研究している。
I am researching the ecology of hares.
Generic word for rabbit, sometimes used for hares in non-scientific contexts, but it's ambiguous. Use 野ウサギ for clarity.
Using ウサギ alone may cause confusion with rabbits. Only use when context makes it clear you mean a hare.
あのウサギは耳が長いね。
That rabbit/hare has long ears, doesn't it?
Referring to the hare in stories like 'The Tortoise and the Hare'.
In the context of well-known fables, the generic ウサギ is used, as the distinction between hare and rabbit is not emphasized.
ウサギとカメの話を知っていますか？
Do you know the story of the tortoise and the hare?
野ウサギ (nousagi) specifically means 'hare', while ウサギ (usagi) is the general term for 'rabbit'. In everyday conversation, Japanese speakers often use ウサギ for both, but in precise contexts (biology, hunting, etc.), 野ウサギ is preferred.
ウサギをペットとして飼っている。
I keep a rabbit as a pet.
野ウサギはペットにできない。
Hares cannot be kept as pets.