Translation guide
How to express 'shedding' in Japanese depends on what is being shed: skin, hair, feathers, leaves, tears, or something abstract like a habit. Japanese uses different verbs for animals, people, and plants.
The process of an animal casting off its outer skin or shell.
Noun meaning molting or shedding of skin by reptiles, insects, etc. Also used as a suru-verb (脱皮する).
ヘビが脱皮した。
The snake shed its skin.
Verb form of 脱皮.
トカゲは定期的に脱皮する。
Lizards shed their skin regularly.
When an animal loses hair naturally, often seasonally.
Literally 'hair comes out'. The most common way to say an animal is shedding.
犬の毛がたくさん抜けている。
The dog is shedding a lot of hair.
Noun meaning molting or seasonal shedding of fur. More technical.
換毛の季節です。
It's shedding season.
Noun for shed hair itself.
When birds lose feathers naturally.
Literally 'feathers come out'. Common for birds shedding feathers.
鳥の羽が抜けている。
The bird is shedding feathers.
Technical term for molting in birds.
換羽期の鳥は飛べないことがある。
Birds during molting season may be unable to fly.
When trees drop leaves, especially in autumn.
Literally 'leaves fall'. The standard way to say trees shed leaves.
秋になると木々が葉を落とす。
In autumn, the trees shed their leaves.
Noun meaning falling leaves or defoliation. Often used in compound words.
落葉樹は冬に葉を落とす。
Deciduous trees shed their leaves in winter.
Crying or letting tears fall.
Literally 'to let tears flow'. The most natural way to say 'shed tears'.
彼女は静かに涙を流した。
She quietly shed tears.
Tears spill over, often involuntarily.
感動して涙がこぼれた。
I was moved to tears.
Getting rid of something unwanted like a bad habit, extra weight, or an old image.
Literally 'to cast off (clothes)'. Metaphorically means to shed an old self or image.
古い自分を脱ぎ捨てる。
Shed your old self.
Simply 'to throw away'. Used for habits.
悪い習慣を捨てる。
Shed a bad habit.
To drop/lose. Commonly used for losing weight.
To clarify or reveal information.
Literally 'to shine a light on'. Used figuratively to mean 'shed light on'.
この研究は問題に光を当てた。
This research shed light on the problem.
To elucidate or clarify. More formal.
科学者が謎を解明した。
The scientist shed light on the mystery.
English 'shedding' covers many concepts. In Japanese, you must choose the right verb for what is being shed. Using 脱皮 for hair or 抜ける for skin will sound unnatural.
There's cat hair on the sofa.
Shed some weight.