Translation guide
The English word "wing" covers a wide range of meanings, from literal bird wings to metaphorical and technical uses. This guide organizes the most common and useful Japanese equivalents by meaning, helping learners choose the right word for the context.
The literal wing of a bird, insect, or bat.
The most common and general word for a wing. Used for birds, insects, bats, and also metaphorically for things that resemble wings.
The bird spread its wings and took off.
The butterfly's wings have beautiful patterns.
Primarily means 'feather' or 'plume', but can also refer to a wing, especially in compound words or when emphasizing the feathered nature. Less common than 翼 for the whole wing.
Using 羽 to mean 'wing' can be ambiguous; it's safer to use 翼 for the whole wing.
The wing of an airplane or other flying vehicle.
Same word as for bird wings. Commonly used for aircraft wings.
A part of a building that sticks out from the main part, or an annex.
Used for a wing or separate building of a complex, often in compounds like 東棟 (east wing).
A group within an organization with a particular ideology or function.
Suffix meaning 'faction' or 'group'. Used in compounds like 左派 (left wing) or 右派 (right wing).
The side area of a stage, out of sight of the audience.
Literally 'sleeve', used for the wings of a stage. Common in theater contexts.
A position on the side of the field in sports like soccer or rugby.
Metaphorical uses like 'take under one's wing', 'spread one's wings', etc.
Literally 'spread wings', used metaphorically for expanding one's horizons or activities.
The bird flapped its wings.
A bird's feather had fallen out.
飛行機の翼が大きく見えた。
The airplane's wings looked large.
Technical term for 'main wing' of an aircraft.
The design of the main wing is important.
Please go to the east wing of the hospital.
Loanword from English, used in modern building names or complexes, e.g., イーストウイング (East Wing).
The new annex of that hotel is called a wing.
彼は党の左派に属している。
He belongs to the left wing of the party.
Loanword sometimes used in political contexts, but 派 is more natural.
The word 'wing' is not often used in politics.
俳優が袖から登場した。
The actor entered from the wings.
More explicit: 'stage wings'.
Please wait in the wings.
Loanword commonly used in sports contexts.
He plays right wing in soccer.
Means 'side', often used for wing positions, e.g., サイドバック (full-back).
He's good at attacking from the wing.
He spread his wings overseas.
Means 'to place under one's protection', similar to 'take under one's wing'. More formal.
The senior took the newcomer under his wing.
Idiom meaning 'to let one's hair down' or 'to relax and enjoy oneself', literally 'stretch one's wings/feathers'. Not a direct translation of 'wing' but related to the imagery.
I'm relaxing at home on the weekend.
bird's feather
English idioms like 'wing it' (improvise) do not use 翼 or 羽. Instead, use 即興でやる (そっきょうでやる) or アドリブでやる.
She works in the west wing of the museum.