Translation guide
This guide covers how to express 'claw' in Japanese, including animal claws, bird talons, crab pincers, and related actions like scratching or clutching.
The sharp, curved nail on the toe of an animal such as a cat, dog, or bear.
The most common word for claw, nail, or talon. Used for both animals and humans.
The cat is sharpening its claws.
犬の爪を切ってあげた。
I trimmed the dog's claws.
The claw of a bird, especially a bird of prey like an eagle or hawk.
Same word as animal claw; context makes it clear.
ワシが鋭い爪で獲物を捕まえた。
The eagle caught its prey with its sharp talons.
Literally 'hook claw', often used for birds of prey or in fantasy contexts.
The large, hinged claw of a crustacean used for grasping.
Literally 'scissors', but the standard word for crab or lobster claws.
カニのハサミはとても強い。
A crab's claws are very strong.
ロブスターのハサミを食べた。
I ate the lobster claw.
The action of an animal using its claws to scratch something or someone.
The standard verb for scratching with claws or nails.
猫に引っ掻かれた。
I got scratched by a cat.
Literally 'to stand one's claws', meaning to dig claws into something.
猫が爪を立ててしがみついた。
The cat dug its claws in and clung on.
The action of seizing or holding something using claws.
A straightforward phrase meaning 'to grasp with claws'.
ワシが爪で獲物を掴んだ。
The eagle grabbed its prey with its talons.
ハサミ (hasami) is only for crustacean pincers or scissors. Using it for a cat or bird claw would be confusing.
ドラゴンの鉤爪は岩をも砕く。
The dragon's talons can crush even rock.