Translation guide
The English word 'lamb' can refer to the young animal, its meat, or be used figuratively. This guide covers how to express these meanings naturally in Japanese.
Referring to a baby sheep, the animal.
The standard word for a baby sheep. Used in both everyday and literary contexts.
A lamb was born on the farm.
The lambs are playing in the meadow.
Loanword from English, often used in names or when emphasizing the English concept, but less common for the animal itself.
That character is a lamb named Ram.
Referring to the meat of a young sheep, used in cooking.
Describing someone as gentle, innocent, or meek, like a lamb.
Referring to someone who is sacrificed or taken advantage of, like a 'sacrificial lamb'.
In English, 'lamb' is meat from a young sheep, while 'mutton' is from an adult. In Japanese, ラム肉 (ramu-niku) is used for lamb, and マトン (maton) for mutton. However, マトン is less common and may not be understood by all. When in doubt, use ラム肉 for sheep meat in general.
The English word 'ram' (adult male sheep) is 雄羊 (おひつじ) in Japanese. Be careful not to use ラム for a ram, as ラム usually means lamb meat or the young animal.
Lamb meat is tender and delicious.
He has an innocent personality and is loved by everyone.
Loanword 'scapegoat', more common in modern Japanese for someone blamed unfairly.
He was made the scapegoat for the team's mistake.