counter
counter for birds; counter for rabbits
Used to count birds and rabbits. The reading changes to ば or ぱ depending on the preceding number (e.g., 一羽 いちわ, 三羽 さんば, 六羽 ろっぱ).
庭に二羽のすずめがいる。
There are two sparrows in the garden.
彼は白いウサギを三羽飼っている。
He keeps three white rabbits.
Kana spelling is common in everyday writing, especially when the counter is used with numerals.
Originally meaning 'feather' or 'wing', this kanji was extended to count birds and later rabbits, possibly due to the similarity of rabbit ears to wings or a historical euphemism.