Translation guide
A picnic is an outdoor meal, often in a park or nature spot. In Japanese, the most common word is ピクニック, but 遠足 is used for school or group excursions. The verb 'to have a picnic' is usually ピクニックに行く or ピクニックをする.
A casual meal eaten outdoors, typically in a park or scenic area, for enjoyment.
The most common and direct loanword for a leisure picnic. Used for casual outings with friends or family.
週末に公園でピクニックをしよう。
Let's have a picnic in the park this weekend.
ピクニックにサンドイッチを持って行った。
I brought sandwiches to the picnic.
Refers to a school trip or organized group outing, often involving a picnic. Not used for casual personal picnics.
小学校の遠足で動物園に行った。
We went to the zoo on the elementary school field trip.
Literally 'outdoor meal'. A descriptive phrase, not a common term for a picnic. Might be used in formal or explanatory contexts.
野外での食事は気持ちがいいですね。
Eating outdoors feels great, doesn't it?
The act of going on or having a picnic.
The most natural way to say 'go on a picnic'.
明日、天気が良かったらピクニックに行かない？
If the weather is good tomorrow, want to go on a picnic?
Means 'to have a picnic'. Slightly less common than ピクニックに行く but perfectly natural.
川のそばでピクニックをした。
We had a picnic by the river.
遠足 specifically refers to school or organized group trips. Using it for a personal picnic with friends sounds odd. Stick to ピクニック for leisure outings.