Translation guide
A sheep that has wandered away from its flock or owner. In Japanese, this is expressed with a noun phrase combining 'stray' or 'lost' with 'sheep'.
Referring to an actual sheep that is lost or has wandered off.
The most common and natural way to say 'stray sheep' in Japanese. Literally 'lost child sheep', it implies a sheep that has become separated and is wandering.
牧場で迷子の羊を見つけた。
I found a stray sheep on the farm.
Emphasizes that the sheep has become separated from the flock. 'はぐれる' means to stray from a group.
はぐれた羊が一匹、道を歩いていた。
A stray sheep was walking along the road.
A more literary or archaic term, often used in religious or metaphorical contexts (e.g., the 'lost sheep' in the Bible). Less common in everyday speech.
聖書には迷い羊のたとえ話がある。
There is a parable of the lost sheep in the Bible.