Translation guide
The English word "wing" covers a wide range of meanings, from literal bird wings to metaphorical and technical uses. This guide organizes the most common and useful Japanese equivalents by meaning, helping learners choose the right word for the context.
The literal wing of a bird, insect, or bat.
The most common and general word for a wing. Used for birds, insects, bats, and also metaphorically for things that resemble wings.
鳥が翼を広げて飛び立った。
The bird spread its wings and took off.
蝶の翼には美しい模様がある。
The butterfly's wings have beautiful patterns.
Primarily means 'feather' or 'plume', but can also refer to a wing, especially in compound words or when emphasizing the feathered nature. Less common than 翼 for the whole wing.
Using 羽 to mean 'wing' can be ambiguous; it's safer to use 翼 for the whole wing.
The wing of an airplane or other flying vehicle.
Same word as for bird wings. Commonly used for aircraft wings.
A part of a building that sticks out from the main part, or an annex.
A group within an organization with a particular ideology or function.
Suffix meaning 'faction' or 'group'. Used in compounds like 左派 (left wing) or 右派 (right wing).
The side area of a stage, out of sight of the audience.
Literally 'sleeve', used for the wings of a stage. Common in theater contexts.
A position on the side of the field in sports like soccer or rugby.
Metaphorical uses like 'take under one's wing', 'spread one's wings', etc.
Literally 'spread wings', used metaphorically for expanding one's horizons or activities.
彼は海外に翼を広げた。
He spread his wings overseas.
翼 (つばさ) refers to the entire wing as a body part or structure. 羽 (はね) primarily means 'feather' but can sometimes mean 'wing' in poetic or compound contexts. For clarity, use 翼 for the wing itself.
English idioms like 'wing it' (improvise) do not use 翼 or 羽. Instead, use 即興でやる (そっきょうでやる) or アドリブでやる.
鳥が翼をばたばたさせた。
The bird flapped its wings.
彼女は博物館の西棟で働いている。
She works in the west wing of the museum.
A bird's feather had fallen out.
飛行機の翼が大きく見えた。
The airplane's wings looked large.
Technical term for 'main wing' of an aircraft.
主翼の設計が重要だ。
The design of the main wing is important.
Please go to the east wing of the hospital.
Loanword from English, used in modern building names or complexes, e.g., イーストウイング (East Wing).
あのホテルの新館はウイングと呼ばれている。
The new annex of that hotel is called a wing.
彼は党の左派に属している。
He belongs to the left wing of the party.
Loanword sometimes used in political contexts, but 派 is more natural.
ウィングという言葉は政治ではあまり使われない。
The word 'wing' is not often used in politics.
俳優が袖から登場した。
The actor entered from the wings.
More explicit: 'stage wings'.
舞台袖で待機してください。
Please wait in the wings.
Loanword commonly used in sports contexts.
彼はサッカーで右ウイングを務めている。
He plays right wing in soccer.
Means 'side', often used for wing positions, e.g., サイドバック (full-back).
サイドからの攻撃が得意だ。
He's good at attacking from the wing.
Means 'to place under one's protection', similar to 'take under one's wing'. More formal.
先輩が新人を庇護の下に置いた。
The senior took the newcomer under his wing.
Idiom meaning 'to let one's hair down' or 'to relax and enjoy oneself', literally 'stretch one's wings/feathers'. Not a direct translation of 'wing' but related to the imagery.
週末は家で羽を伸ばしている。
I'm relaxing at home on the weekend.