Translation guide
The English word 'mole' has several distinct meanings: a small burrowing animal, a spy within an organization, a skin growth, a unit in chemistry, a breakwater structure, and a type of sauce. This guide helps learners choose the right Japanese expression for each meaning.
A small, dark, burrowing mammal with tiny eyes and strong forelimbs.
The standard word for the animal 'mole'. Can be written in katakana or hiragana.
庭にモグラの穴がたくさんある。
There are many mole holes in the garden.
Kanji form of モグラ, used in literary or scientific contexts. Rare in everyday writing.
土竜は地中で生活する。
Moles live underground.
A person who works within an organization and secretly passes information to a rival.
The most common word for a spy or secret agent, including a mole within an organization.
彼は敵の組織に潜入したスパイだった。
He was a spy who infiltrated the enemy organization.
Specifically means an informant or mole who leaks information from inside. More formal than スパイ.
警察は内通者から情報を得た。
The police got information from a mole.
Means 'double agent'. Use when the mole is pretending to work for one side while actually working for the other.
A small, often dark, raised spot on the skin.
The standard word for a mole or beauty mark on the skin. Usually benign.
彼女の頬には小さなほくろがある。
She has a small mole on her cheek.
Kanji form of ほくろ, sometimes used in medical or literary contexts. Rare in daily use.
A unit of measurement for amount of substance (6.022×10²³ particles).
The standard term for the chemistry unit 'mole'. Used in scientific contexts.
1モルの水分子は約18グラムです。
One mole of water molecules is about 18 grams.
A large stone or concrete structure built to protect a harbor from waves.
The general term for a breakwater or mole. Used in engineering and everyday contexts.
港の外側に長い防波堤が建設された。
A long mole was built outside the harbor.
Refers to a jetty or groin, but can also mean a mole in the sense of a solid pier. More technical.
A Mexican sauce made with chili peppers and chocolate.
The Japanese loanword for the Mexican sauce 'mole'. Often used in the context of Mexican cuisine.
メキシコ料理のモレはチョコレートを使う。
Mexican mole sauce uses chocolate.
Although both are 'mole' in English, モグラ is the animal and ほくろ is the skin mark. Using the wrong one can cause confusion.
顔にモグラがいる。
There is a mole (animal) on my face. (incorrect)
彼は長年二重スパイとして活動していた。
He worked as a double agent for many years.
I had surgery to remove a mole.
The mole reduces the force of the waves.