Translation guide
The English word 'duck' can refer to the animal, the meat, or the action of lowering one's head or body. This guide covers natural Japanese for each meaning.
Referring to a duck as a living bird, in general or specific contexts.
General term for wild ducks, especially those hunted or eaten. Often used in compounds.
There are ducks in the pond.
Domestic duck, the typical white farm duck. Used for the animal itself, not usually for meat.
Kanji form of アヒル, meaning 'house duck'. Less common in everyday use.
Specifically the mallard duck (Anas platyrhynchos). Used in birdwatching or precise contexts.
Referring to duck meat as a food item, in cooking or dining contexts.
Duck meat. The standard term when talking about eating duck.
The action of bending down or moving the head down to avoid something, or as a quick movement.
To bend one's body down; to stoop. Natural for ducking under something.
To evade or avoid dealing with something, often in a figurative sense.
To avoid; to evade. General term for avoiding something unpleasant.
The loanword ダック is not commonly used for the bird. Use 鴨 or アヒル instead. ダック is sometimes seen in brand names or as part of borrowed phrases like 'ダックテープ' (duct tape).
鴨 (かも) generally refers to wild ducks, while アヒル refers to the domestic white duck. In culinary contexts, 鴨 usually implies wild duck meat, which is more prized, while 合鴨 (あいがも) is a crossbreed commonly farmed for meat.
Ducks are swimming in the pond.
The children are feeding the ducks.
Domestic ducks can't fly.
Mallards are migratory birds.
I love roast duck.
Can refer to duck meat in culinary contexts, especially in dish names like 鴨鍋 (duck hot pot).
Let's have duck hot pot tonight.
Crossbred duck, commonly used for meat in Japan. Often seen on menus.
I bought smoked duck.
He ducked under the branch.
To lower one's head. Used for ducking to avoid a blow or to show respect.
A ball came flying, so I quickly ducked.
To dodge; to evade. Implies a quick movement to avoid something, not necessarily just lowering the head.
He quickly ducked the punch.
To crouch down; to squat. Used when ducking down behind something.
I ducked behind the bushes to hide.
He ducked the question.
To escape from; to evade. Often used for responsibilities or duties.
He tried to duck his responsibilities.
To make excuses; to dodge an issue verbally.
He's always ducking the issue.
I had duck for dinner.
He ducked to avoid the ball.