Translation guide
A manger is a feeding trough for animals, most famously associated with the birth of Jesus. In Japanese, the word depends on context: a general animal trough, the biblical manger, or a nativity scene.
A trough from which livestock eat, typically on a farm.
The specific manger where Jesus was laid, often referenced in Christmas stories.
The entire nativity display, often including the manger, figures, and stable.
Common term for a nativity scene, literally 'nativity scene'.
クリスマスには降誕場面を飾ります。
We set up a nativity scene at Christmas.
Loanword from German 'Krippe', used by some Christians in Japan.
The English word 'manger' is a noun. The French verb 'manger' (to eat) is unrelated. In Japanese, '食べる' (たべる) means 'to eat'.
If you're talking about a farm, use 飼い葉桶. For Christmas, 飼い葉桶 still works, but 降誕場面 is better for the whole scene.
Standard term for a feeding trough for livestock, literally 'feed bucket/tub'.
馬が飼い葉桶から干し草を食べている。
The horse is eating hay from the manger.
Another term for a manger, using 'まぐさ' (fodder) and '桶' (bucket). Slightly less common.
牛がまぐさ桶に近づいた。
The cow approached the manger.
Short for '飼い葉桶', but can also mean 'feed' itself. Context dependent.
かいばを用意してください。
Please prepare the manger (or feed).
The same word is used for the biblical manger. Context makes it clear.
イエスは飼い葉桶に寝かされた。
Jesus was laid in a manger.
A more literary or biblical term, literally 'horse trough'. Used in some Bible translations.
幼子は馬槽に眠っている。
The infant sleeps in the manger.
Explicitly 'the manger of the Nativity'. Used in religious contexts.
教会にキリスト降誕の飼い葉桶が飾られている。
A Nativity manger is displayed in the church.
教会のクリッペが美しい。
The church's nativity scene is beautiful.
Descriptive phrase meaning 'scene of Jesus' birth'.
イエス生誕の場面を人形で再現した。
They recreated the scene of Jesus' birth with figurines.