Oshidori Fufu (A Happily Married Couple)

Both

English

Japanese

Today, I will talk about the Japanese word “oshidori fufu,” which means “a happily married couple.”

今日は、仲の良い夫婦を意味する「おしどり夫婦」という日本語を紹介します。

In the past, it was thought that once oshidori (mandarin ducks) pair up, they spend their lifetimes while snuggling each other.

かつて、おしどりの夫婦は一度つがいになったら、いつも寄り添い、一生一緒に過ごすと考えられていました。

This is the etymology of oshidori fufu.

これがおしどり夫婦という言葉の由来です。

However, actually a male of oshidori leaves behind a female after she laid eggs, and the male makes a new couple year after year.

しかし実際は、メスが卵を産むと、オスはメスのもとから去っていき、毎年のように、新しい相手とつがいになります。

It is said that a truly ideal couple is made by cranes.

本当に理想的な夫婦は、鶴だと言われています。

Once cranes pair up, they will remain a husband and a wife until death in most cases.

鶴は一度つがいになると、相手が死ぬまで夫婦であり続けることが多いです。

Also, if either of them passes away, even if it becomes only bones, the crane will continue to guard the dead body.

また、相手が死んでも、死んで骨になっても、その死体を守り続けるそうです。