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.
Standard term for a feeding trough for livestock, literally 'feed bucket/tub'.
The horse is eating hay from the manger.
Another term for a manger, using 'まぐさ' (fodder) and '桶' (bucket). Slightly less common.
The cow approached the manger.
Short for '飼い葉桶', but can also mean 'feed' itself. Context dependent.
Please prepare the manger (or feed).
The specific manger where Jesus was laid, often referenced in Christmas stories.
The same word is used for the biblical manger. Context makes it clear.
Jesus was laid in a manger.
A more literary or biblical term, literally 'horse trough'. Used in some Bible translations.
The infant sleeps in the manger.
Explicitly 'the manger of the Nativity'. Used in religious contexts.
The entire nativity display, often including the manger, figures, and stable.
Common term for a nativity scene, literally 'nativity scene'.
We set up a nativity scene at Christmas.
Loanword from German 'Krippe', used by some Christians in Japan.
The church's nativity scene is beautiful.
Descriptive phrase meaning 'scene of Jesus' birth'.
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.
A Nativity manger is displayed in the church.
They recreated the scene of Jesus' birth with figurines.