Translation guide
The English word 'wattle' has two main meanings: a fleshy lobe hanging from the head or throat of birds like turkeys and chickens, and a framework of interwoven sticks used in construction. This guide covers both.
The fleshy, often red, appendage hanging from the throat or head of a bird, such as a chicken or turkey.
General term for a fleshy wattle or dewlap on birds and some other animals. Used in both casual and technical contexts.
七面鳥の肉垂は赤くて大きい。
The turkey's wattle is red and large.
Specifically refers to the wattle of a bird, especially a chicken. More technical or literary than 肉垂.
A construction of poles intertwined with twigs, reeds, or branches, used for fences, walls, or huts.
A wattle fence or wattle panel; literally 'woven fence'. Common in traditional Japanese architecture and gardening.
庭の周りに編み垣を作った。
We built a wattle fence around the garden.
Both mean 'wattle' on a bird. 肉垂 is the general, everyday term and can refer to wattles on any animal. 肉髯 is more specific to birds and sounds more technical or literary. In casual conversation, 肉垂 is preferred.
The historical building technique 'wattle and daub' can be explained as 小舞壁 (こまいかべ) or 木舞壁 (こまいかべ), where a lattice of bamboo (小舞) is covered with mud plaster. Alternatively, describe it as 枝を編んで土を塗った壁 (えだをあんでつちをぬったかべ).
鶏の肉髯が風で揺れている。
The chicken's wattle is swaying in the wind.
Usually means 'comb' (the red crest on a chicken's head), but sometimes loosely used for the wattle in casual speech. Not precise.
This primarily means 'comb', not 'wattle'. Use only if context makes it clear you mean the throat appendage.
あの鶏はとさかも肉垂も立派だ。
That chicken has a splendid comb and wattle.
Descriptive phrase meaning 'wall woven from branches'. Used when explaining the concept.
その小屋は枝を編んだ壁でできている。
The hut is made of wattle walls.
A lattice or framework of thin bamboo or wood used as a base for plastering walls, similar to wattle in traditional Japanese construction. Often part of a 'wattle and daub' technique.
小舞に土を塗って壁を作る。
They plaster mud over the wattle to make a wall.