Translation guide
The animal 'crocodile' is most commonly ワニ in Japanese. This entry covers the animal, its use in food, and figurative expressions.
Referring to the reptile crocodile (or alligator, as Japanese often uses the same word).
General term for crocodilians, including alligators. Used in everyday conversation.
あの川にはワニがいる。
There are crocodiles in that river.
Referring to crocodile as food, e.g., in a restaurant or recipe.
Literally 'crocodile meat'. Used when specifically talking about the meat as food.
ワニ肉を食べたことがありますか？
Have you ever eaten crocodile meat?
Expressing false or insincere tears/sorrow.
Literally 'fake crying'. The most natural way to express 'crocodile tears' in Japanese.
While クロコダイル (katakana for 'crocodile') exists, it is mainly used in brand names or fashion (e.g., Crocodile brand). For the animal, always use ワニ.
Kanji form of ワニ. Less common in modern writing, but may appear in literature or formal contexts.
鰐の皮で鞄を作る。
They make bags from crocodile skin.
In context (e.g., at a restaurant), just ワニ can mean crocodile meat.
この店ではワニの唐揚げが名物です。
This restaurant is famous for its fried crocodile.
彼女の涙は嘘泣きだった。
Her tears were crocodile tears.
Literally 'empty tears'. A more literary term for insincere tears.
彼は空涙を流した。
He shed crocodile tears.
Literally 'false tears'. Understandable but less idiomatic than 嘘泣き.
それは偽りの涙に過ぎない。
Those are nothing but crocodile tears.