Translation guide
The English word 'cage' refers to an enclosure for animals or a confining space. In Japanese, the most common equivalent is 檻 (おり), but other words like ケージ and 鳥かご exist depending on context. This guide covers how to express 'cage' naturally in Japanese.
Referring to a cage for animals, especially with bars or wire mesh, like at a zoo or for pets.
The standard word for a cage with bars, typically for larger animals or zoo enclosures. Can also refer to a jail cell metaphorically.
The lion is pacing around in the cage.
The cages at that zoo are very spacious.
Loanword from English, often used for smaller pet cages like for hamsters, birds, or dogs. Implies a wire or plastic enclosure.
I cleaned the hamster's cage.
Please put the dog in the cage.
Specifically a birdcage. Use this when referring to a cage for pet birds.
The bird escaped from the cage.
Kana form of 檻, used in casual or children's contexts. Less common in formal writing.
The bear in the cage is cute.
Using 'cage' figuratively to describe a situation or place that feels restrictive, like a prison or oppressive environment.
Metaphorically extends to any confining situation, similar to 'prison' in English. Often used in literary or emotional contexts.
She felt like her marriage was a cage.
This company is like a cage.
Literally 'prison', but can be used metaphorically for a cage-like situation. Stronger and more dramatic than 檻.
A phrase meaning 'feeling of being caged/trapped'. Useful when describing the sensation without a direct noun.
Referring to a batting cage or similar practice enclosure in sports.
Referring to the skeletal structure of the ribs.
檻 (おり) is for larger, barred enclosures (zoo animals, jail cells). ケージ is for smaller pet cages (hamsters, dogs) and sports cages. 鳥かご is specifically for birds. Using the wrong term can sound odd: a lion in a ケージ sounds like a pet, while a hamster in an 檻 sounds like a prisoner.
Hamsters are kept in a cage (ケージ), not a barred cage (檻).
While 檻 can metaphorically mean a jail cell, ケージ does not carry that connotation. For a prison cell, use 独房 (どくぼう) or 牢屋 (ろうや).
彼は自分の部屋を牢獄と呼んだ。
He called his room a cage (prison).
I feel caged in when I'm in the city.
Get in the cage and hit.
肋骨を痛めた。
I hurt my rib cage.