Translation guide
The process of shedding old skin, fur, feathers, or shell to allow for new growth, common in animals and insects.
The biological process where an animal casts off its outer layer.
The standard term for shedding skin or exoskeleton, used for insects, reptiles, and crustaceans. Can also be used metaphorically for personal transformation.
The cicada is moulting.
Have you ever seen a snake moulting?
The verb form 'to moult' (shed skin).
Crabs moult in order to grow.
Specifically refers to shedding a shell, like in crustaceans. Less common than 脱皮.
Shrimp moulting occurs frequently.
The seasonal or periodic loss and replacement of hair or feathers.
Specifically for mammals shedding fur. Often used for pets like dogs and cats.
In spring, dogs start moulting.
Specifically for birds moulting feathers.
A more descriptive phrase meaning 'fur/hair falls out and is replaced', used in everyday conversation.
Descriptive phrase for birds: 'feathers grow back/renew'.
It's the time when chickens moult.
Used figuratively for casting off old habits, identities, or stages.
脱皮 is for skin/exoskeleton (insects, reptiles, crustaceans). 換毛 is for fur/hair (mammals). 換羽 is for feathers (birds). Using the wrong term can sound odd, though 脱皮 is sometimes used loosely for any shedding.
In casual conversation about pets, people often say 毛が抜ける (けがぬける, 'fur falls out') or 毛が生え変わる (けがはえかわる, 'fur grows back') instead of the technical 換毛.
鳥の換羽の時期は種類によって異なる。
The moulting season for birds varies by species.
Our cat is moulting right now.
She broke out of her shell and became more proactive.