Translation guide
A decoy is something used to lure or distract, often in hunting, military, or figurative contexts. In Japanese, the most common equivalent is おとり, but other words and phrases are used depending on the situation.
Something used to attract or trap someone or something, often by deception.
The most common and versatile word for 'decoy'. Can be used for literal decoys (e.g., in hunting or police stings) and figurative ones (e.g., a decoy in a strategy).
The police used a decoy to catch the criminal.
That advertisement might be a decoy.
Kanji form of おとり. Used in written or formal contexts. The kanji 囮 is not common, so it's often written in kana.
The decoy operation was successful.
Loanword from English, used in specific contexts like hunting, gaming, or military. Not as common as おとり in everyday speech.
I bought a hunting decoy.
Specifically refers to an artificial bait or lure used in fishing. Literally 'fake bait'.
I caught a big fish with an artificial lure.
A person who acts as a lure or distraction, often in undercover operations or scams.
Can refer to a person acting as a decoy. Often used in phrases like おとりになる (to act as a decoy).
He acted as a decoy to draw the enemy's attention.
Specifically means 'decoy role' or 'person playing the decoy'. Used in contexts like games or operations.
I took on the role of the decoy.
A person who pretends to be a customer or audience member to attract others. Common in marketing or street performances. Not exactly 'decoy' but a related concept.
A false target used to mislead the enemy, such as a dummy tank or a diversionary attack.
Works in military contexts as well. おとり作戦 (decoy operation) is a common phrase.
The enemy fell for the decoy.
A diversion or feint, often used in military strategy. It's a broader term for a distracting maneuver, but can function as a decoy.
Loanword meaning 'dummy', used for fake objects like dummy tanks or missiles. Not a direct translation of 'decoy' but often used in similar contexts.
おとり is the general term for decoy in most contexts. デコイ is a loanword used in specific fields like hunting or gaming. 疑似餌 is specifically for fishing lures. Use おとり unless the context is highly technical.
In hunting, they use decoys, but the police use a decoy (person).
罠 means 'trap', not 'decoy'. A decoy lures the target, while a trap captures it. They are often used together but are distinct concepts.
Lure them with a decoy and catch them in a trap.
あの行列にはサクラがいるらしい。
Apparently there are shills in that line.
陽動作戦で敵の注意をそらした。
We diverted the enemy's attention with a feint operation.
They deployed dummy tanks.