Translation guide
The English word 'chicken' can refer to the bird, its meat, or a cowardly person. This guide covers natural Japanese expressions for each meaning.
Referring to a live chicken as an animal, often in farming or pet contexts.
The standard word for a chicken as a bird. Often used for the domestic fowl.
庭で鶏を飼っています。
I keep chickens in my yard.
General word for bird, but can be used for chicken in context, especially when referring to poultry in general.
あの鳥は鶏ですか？
Is that bird a chicken?
Referring to chicken as food, such as in cooking or ordering at a restaurant.
The standard word for chicken meat. Used in recipes, menus, and daily conversation.
今夜は鶏肉のカレーを作ります。
I'll make chicken curry tonight.
Loanword from English, commonly used in dish names like 'fried chicken' or 'chicken nanban'.
Dialectal word for chicken meat, mainly used in western Japan (Kansai region). Often seen in traditional dishes.
Calling someone a coward or afraid to do something, often in a teasing or derogatory way.
Standard word for a coward. Can be used seriously or teasingly.
彼は臆病者だから、そんなことできないよ。
He's a chicken, so he can't do something like that.
Slang loanword used similarly to English 'chicken' for a coward. Common among younger people.
Literally 'weak bug', meaning a coward or weakling. Often used by children or in casual speech.
While 'チキン' is common for chicken meat or coward, it is not used for the live animal. Use '鶏 (にわとり)' instead.
鶏が卵を産んだ。
The chicken laid an egg.
I like chicken nanban.
I ate chicken rice (a local dish).
You're such a chicken.
弱虫！早く飛び込めよ。
Chicken! Just jump in already.