Translation guide
The English word 'duck' can refer to the animal, the meat, or the action of lowering one's head or body. This guide covers natural Japanese for each meaning.
Referring to a duck as a living bird, in general or specific contexts.
General term for wild ducks, especially those hunted or eaten. Often used in compounds.
池に鴨がいる。
There are ducks in the pond.
Domestic duck, the typical white farm duck. Used for the animal itself, not usually for meat.
子供がアヒルに餌をやっている。
The children are feeding the ducks.
Kanji form of アヒル, meaning 'house duck'. Less common in everyday use.
家鴨は飛べない。
Domestic ducks can't fly.
Specifically the mallard duck (Anas platyrhynchos). Used in birdwatching or precise contexts.
Referring to duck meat as a food item, in cooking or dining contexts.
Duck meat. The standard term when talking about eating duck.
鴨肉のローストが大好きです。
I love roast duck.
Can refer to duck meat in culinary contexts, especially in dish names like 鴨鍋 (duck hot pot).
今夜は鴨鍋にしよう。
Let's have duck hot pot tonight.
Crossbred duck, commonly used for meat in Japan. Often seen on menus.
The action of bending down or moving the head down to avoid something, or as a quick movement.
To bend one's body down; to stoop. Natural for ducking under something.
彼は枝の下を身をかがめて通った。
He ducked under the branch.
To lower one's head. Used for ducking to avoid a blow or to show respect.
ボールが飛んできたので、とっさに頭を下げた。
A ball came flying, so I quickly ducked.
To dodge; to evade. Implies a quick movement to avoid something, not necessarily just lowering the head.
To crouch down; to squat. Used when ducking down behind something.
To evade or avoid dealing with something, often in a figurative sense.
To avoid; to evade. General term for avoiding something unpleasant.
彼は質問を避けた。
He ducked the question.
To escape from; to evade. Often used for responsibilities or duties.
To make excuses; to dodge an issue verbally.
彼は言い逃ればかりしている。
He's always ducking the issue.
The loanword ダック is not commonly used for the bird. Use 鴨 or アヒル instead. ダック is sometimes seen in brand names or as part of borrowed phrases like 'ダックテープ' (duct tape).
鴨 (かも) generally refers to wild ducks, while アヒル refers to the domestic white duck. In culinary contexts, 鴨 usually implies wild duck meat, which is more prized, while 合鴨 (あいがも) is a crossbreed commonly farmed for meat.
池で鴨が泳いでいる。
Ducks are swimming in the pond.
夕食に鴨肉を食べた。
I had duck for dinner.
彼はボールを避けるために頭を下げた。
He ducked to avoid the ball.
Mallards are migratory birds.
合鴨のスモークを買った。
I bought smoked duck.
He quickly ducked the punch.
I ducked behind the bushes to hide.
彼は責任から逃れようとした。
He tried to duck his responsibilities.