Translation guide
The English word 'hay' refers to dried grass used as animal feed or for other purposes. In Japanese, the most common equivalent is 干し草 (ほしくさ), but other terms exist depending on context.
Referring to hay as fodder for livestock or pets.
General term for dried grass used as animal feed. This is the most common and neutral word.
馬に干し草をあげた。
I gave hay to the horse.
干し草の俵を倉庫に積んだ。
We stacked bales of hay in the barn.
Refers to pasture grass, often used for grazing or hay. Can imply fresh or dried grass, but context usually clarifies.
牧草を刈って干し草を作る。
We cut pasture grass to make hay.
Literally 'dried grass', but less common than 干し草. May appear in technical or written contexts.
乾草は家畜の飼料として重要だ。
Hay is important as livestock feed.
Referring to hay used for non-feed purposes like animal bedding, garden mulch, or rustic decoration.
干し草 can also be used for non-feed purposes. Context makes the usage clear.
ウサギの寝床に干し草を敷いた。
I put hay in the rabbit's bedding.
畑に干し草を敷いて雑草を防ぐ。
We spread hay on the field to prevent weeds.
Straw, not hay. Often confused with hay. Straw is the dried stalks of grain plants, used for bedding, thatching, etc. Use only if you specifically mean straw, not hay.
藁 is straw, not hay. Hay is dried grass; straw is dried grain stalks. Do not use 藁 for animal feed hay.
The English idiom 'make hay while the sun shines' means to take advantage of favorable conditions.
A natural Japanese equivalent meaning 'Don't miss a good opportunity.' Not a direct translation of the hay idiom, but conveys the same idea.
今がチャンスだ。好機を逃すな。
Now's your chance. Make hay while the sun shines.
Proverb meaning 'Strike while the iron is hot' or 'Do good things quickly.' Similar in spirit to making hay while the sun shines.
善は急げで、すぐに始めよう。
Let's make hay while the sun shines and start right away.
Referring to the allergic condition commonly called hay fever.
The standard term for hay fever in Japanese, literally 'pollen allergy'. Note that hay fever is not caused by hay, but by pollen.
今年は花粉症がひどい。
My hay fever is bad this year.
In English, 'hay' and 'straw' are distinct: hay is dried grass for feed, straw is dried grain stalks for bedding. In Japanese, 干し草 (ほしくさ) is hay, and 藁 (わら) is straw. Do not confuse them.
干し草は飼料、藁は寝床に使う。
Hay is used for feed, straw for bedding.
He is wearing a straw hat.