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KANJI
蛍
firefly
glowworm, subtle light
Kun'yomi
ほたるhotaru
On'yomi
けいkei
Example sentences
夏なつの夜よ、川辺かわべには無数むすうの蛍ほたるが飛とび交かい、幻想的げんそうてきな光景こうけいを作つくり出だす。
On summer nights, countless fireflies fly about by the river, creating a magical scene.
子供こどもの頃ころ、家族かぞくと近ちかくの小川おがわへ蛍ほたるを見みに行いったのは、今いまでも忘わすれられない夏なつの思おもい出でだ。
Going to see fireflies with my family at a nearby stream when I was a child is still an unforgettable summer memory.
都市とし開発かいはつが進すすむにつれて、かつて多おおくの蛍ほたるが見みられた場所ばしょでも、その姿すがたは稀まれになりつつある。
As urban development progresses, even in places where many fireflies were once seen, their presence is becoming rare.

Practice exercises

1
蛍
Answer
ほたるけい
2
蛍
Answer
fireflyglowworm
3
蛍雪せつ
diligent study (by the light of fireflies and snow)
Answer
けいせつ
4
蛍狩がり
firefly catching
Answer
ほたるがり
5
蛍窓そう
(literary) window where one studies diligently (from 蛍雪の功)
Answer
けいそう
6
蛍族ぞく
people who smoke on balconies or in hallways (like fireflies lighting up in the dark)
Answer
ほたるぞく