Learn Japanese with Free Daily
Audio and Video Lessons!

On Daddy Longlegs (the Spiders)

足長おじさん (ashinaga-ojisan: daddy longlegs)     legs + long

Here’s another way to refer to this animal (which must be one of your most pressing needs as you learn Japanese!):

大蚊 (gaganbo or kaganbo: crane fly; daddy longlegs)
     big + mosquito

So, to recap, there are two completely different compounds that mean “daddy longlegs.” And 大蚊 (which is usually represented in hiragana) can refer to either a fly or a spider but breaks down as big + mosquito. Finally, this compound has two yomi. Everything is clear now!

Back to the Blog …