Translation guide
The animal 'ferret' is expressed in Japanese with a loanword or a native term. The loanword is most common in everyday contexts, while the native term appears in formal or zoological settings.
Referring to the domesticated ferret as a pet or animal in everyday conversation.
The standard loanword for 'ferret', widely understood and used in pet stores, casual talk, and media.
Expressing the action of searching for something persistently, like a ferret hunting.
Our ferret is very friendly.
フェレットを飼っています。
I have a ferret.
Literally 'white weasel', a native Japanese term for the ferret. Used in formal or zoological contexts, but less common in daily speech.
白鼬はイタチ科の動物です。
The ferret is an animal of the weasel family.
Means 'to search around' or 'to hunt for', capturing the persistent searching sense of 'ferret out'.
彼は鍵を探し回った。
He ferreted around for his keys.
Literally 'to sniff around', often used for someone snooping or investigating, similar to 'ferret out' information.
記者がスキャンダルを嗅ぎ回っている。
Reporters are ferreting out the scandal.
Means 'to ferret out' or 'to uncover' information through investigation.
真実を探り出すのに時間がかかった。
It took time to ferret out the truth.