Translation guide
The process of shedding old skin, feathers, hair, or shell to allow for new growth. In Japanese, the specific term depends on the animal and what is being shed.
To describe the biological process where an animal sheds its outer layer.
General term for molting or shedding skin, especially for reptiles and insects. Can also be used metaphorically for personal growth.
ヘビが脱皮した。
The snake molted.
脱皮の時期になると、カニは岩陰に隠れる。
When it's time to molt, crabs hide under rocks.
Specifically refers to shedding a shell, used for crustaceans like crabs and shrimp.
エビの脱殻は成長に不可欠だ。
Molting is essential for shrimp growth.
Verb form: to molt (skin).
トカゲが脱皮する様子を観察した。
I observed the lizard molting.
To describe birds shedding and regrowing feathers.
The specific term for birds molting feathers. Commonly used in ornithology and bird keeping.
ニワトリは秋に換羽する。
Chickens molt in autumn.
換羽期の鳥は体力を消耗する。
Birds expend energy during the molting period.
A more descriptive phrase meaning 'feathers are replaced', used in everyday conversation.
スズメの羽が生え変わる季節だ。
It's the season when sparrows molt.
To describe seasonal shedding of fur or hair.
The term for mammals shedding their fur seasonally. Used for dogs, cats, rabbits, etc.
ウサギの換毛期にはブラッシングが欠かせない。
Brushing is essential during a rabbit's molting period.
Descriptive phrase meaning 'fur/hair falls out and is replaced', used in casual contexts.
犬の毛が抜け変わる時期は掃除が大変だ。
Cleaning is tough when dogs are molting.
To describe the shedding of an exoskeleton during growth.
Also used for insects and crustaceans shedding their exoskeleton. The most common term.
セミの幼虫が脱皮して成虫になった。
The cicada nymph molted and became an adult.
Specifically for crustaceans shedding their shell.
脱殻直後のカニは柔らかい。
Crabs are soft right after molting.
脱皮 (dappi) is for skin/shell, 換羽 (kan'u) is for feathers, and 換毛 (kanmou) is for fur. Use the correct term based on the animal type to sound natural.
ヘビは脱皮するが、スズメは換羽する。
Snakes molt (skin), but sparrows molt (feathers).
脱皮 can be used metaphorically to mean 'breaking out of one's shell' or personal transformation, similar to 'shedding one's old self'.
彼は内気な自分から脱皮して、社交的になった。
He shed his shy self and became sociable.