とんび

noun

black kite (bird)

A common bird of prey in Japan, often seen circling in the sky. The reading とんび is more common than とび in everyday speech.

• 海かい岸がんでとんびが空そらを旋せん回かいしていた。

  A black kite was circling in the sky over the beach.

noun

construction worker; scaffold erector; firefighter

Only with reading とび

Abbreviation of 鳶職 (とびしょく). Refers to workers who erect scaffolding or perform high-rise construction and firefighting. Only used with the reading とび.

See also: 鳶職

• 彼かれは若わかい頃ころ、鳶とびとして働はたらいていた。

  When he was young, he worked as a scaffold erector.

noun

fire hook

Only with reading とび

Abbreviation of 鳶口 (とびぐち). A hooked tool used in firefighting. Only used with the reading とび.

See also: 鳶口

• 消しょう防ぼう士しが鳶とびを使つかって瓦が礫れきをかき分わけた。

  The firefighter used a fire hook to clear the debris.

noun

reddish brown (color)

Only with reading とび

Abbreviation of 鳶色 (とびいろ). A dark reddish-brown color, like the feathers of a black kite. Only used with the reading とび.

See also: 鳶色

• 鳶とび色いろの羽は織おりを着きた老ろう人じんが歩あるいていた。

  An old man wearing a reddish-brown haori was walking.

noun

Inverness cape

Only with reading とんび

Abbreviation of 鳶合羽 (とんびがっぱ). A type of cape with a high collar, traditionally worn by men. Only used with the reading とんび.

See also: 鳶合羽

• 祖そ父ふの遺い品ひんから古ふるいとんびが出でてきた。

  An old Inverness cape was found among my grandfather's belongings.

noun

sneak thief; pilferer

Only with reading とんび

Slang term for a petty thief who steals small items, likened to a kite snatching food. Only used with the reading とんび.

• 市いち場ばでとんびに財さい布ふをすられた。

  I had my wallet stolen by a sneak thief at the market.