Translation guide
The English word "flock" can refer to a group of animals (especially birds or sheep), a large group of people, or the action of gathering together. This guide covers natural Japanese equivalents for each meaning.
Referring to a group of birds (especially flying together) or a herd of sheep.
General word for a group of animals, including birds, sheep, fish, etc. Can be used for flocks of birds or herds of sheep.
鳥の群れが空を飛んでいる。
A flock of birds is flying in the sky.
羊の群れが牧場にいる。
A flock of sheep is in the pasture.
More literary or formal term for a group or flock. Often used in written descriptions.
一群の渡り鳥が南へ向かう。
A flock of migratory birds heads south.
Specifically 'flock of birds'. Adding 鳥の makes it explicit.
鳥の群れが一斉に飛び立った。
The flock of birds took off all at once.
Specifically 'flock of sheep'. Adding 羊の makes it explicit.
羊飼いが羊の群れを誘導している。
The shepherd is guiding the flock of sheep.
Referring to a crowd or large number of people gathered together, often with a shared purpose.
Crowd, throng. Used for a large gathering of people, often in public spaces.
群衆が広場に集まった。
A flock of people gathered in the square.
Crowd of people, often gathered around something interesting. More casual than 群衆.
Large number of people. Often used as '大勢の人' (many people).
Referring to the members of a church or religious group.
Congregation, church members. Specifically used in Christian contexts.
牧師が会衆に説教をした。
The pastor preached to the flock.
Believers, followers of a religion. Can be used for any religious group.
Describing the act of people or animals coming together in a group.
To swarm, crowd around, flock to. Verb describing the action of gathering in large numbers.
観光客がその店に群がった。
Tourists flocked to the store.
ハトがパンくずに群がっている。
Pigeons are flocking to the bread crumbs.
To gather, assemble. More general verb for coming together.
To rush to, flock to (a place) in large numbers. Implies enthusiastic or urgent gathering.
群れ (mure) is for animals; 群衆 (gunshū) is for a large, often anonymous crowd of people; 集団 (shūdan) is for an organized group or collective.
The loanword フロック (furokku) is not commonly used in Japanese. It may be understood in some contexts (e.g., computing), but for natural Japanese, use the terms above.
事故現場に人だかりができていた。
A flock of people had gathered at the accident scene.
大勢の人がコンサートに来た。
A flock of people came to the concert.
The flock gathered at the church.
人々が広場に集まった。
People flocked to the square.
ファンが会場に詰めかけた。
Fans flocked to the venue.