How to say "flap" in Japanese

• フラップCommon
  nounA loanword for the flap of an aircraft wing, the surface extended for takeoff and landing; for flapping movements or for clothing, a native word is the one you want.
• 羽ばたくはばたくCommon
  godan verb, intransitive verbThe verb for a bird or insect flapping its wings; if your 'flap' means beating wings in the air, this is the word you want.
  小鳥ことりが物音ものおとにはばたきして飛び去とびさった。↗

  The birds fluttered away at the noise.
• 翻るひるがえるCommon
  godan verb, intransitive verbCovers flags, banners and other cloth fluttering, waving or flapping in the wind; the movement is that of fabric caught by the breeze.
  ポニーテールが翻ひるがえって思おもわず見みとれる仕草しぐさだ。↗

  The way she flips her ponytail will charm you before you realise it.
• 煽るあおるCommon
  godan verb, transitive verbFor something loose flapping or billowing in the wind, as a sail or curtain does; better known for 'to fan' and 'to stir up', it is seldom the word you want for 'flap'.
• 折り返しおりかえしCommon
  nounThe folded-back part of a garment: a lapel, a cuff or a turn-up. Its 'flap' is a folded piece of clothing, not any flapping movement.

Use 「フラップ」 for an aircraft wing flap, 「羽ばたく」 for birds flapping their wings, 「翻る」 for flags and cloth flapping in the wind (「煽る」 is a marginal alternative), and 「折り返し」 for a garment's folded flap.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• フラップflap (of an aircraft wing)
• 羽ばたくはばたくto flap (wings)
• 翻るひるがえるto flutter (in the wind)
• 皮膚弁ひふべんflap
• ばたつかせるto flap (hands, feet, wings)
• 羽ばたきはばたきflapping of wings
• ばたつくto clatter
• はたはたflutter
• 皮弁ひべんskin flap
• はじき音はじきおん(alveolar) flap
• そでflap (of a dust jacket)
• 煽るあおるto flap (in the wind)
• 折り返しおりかえしlapel