Translation guide
The animal wolf is 狼 (おおかみ). Figurative uses like 'lone wolf' or 'wolf in sheep's clothing' have natural Japanese equivalents, but some English idioms do not translate directly.
Referring to the animal Canis lupus.
Standard word for wolf. Used in all contexts.
森で狼を見た。
I saw a wolf in the forest.
Describing someone who acts independently or avoids groups.
Literally 'one wolf'. Natural equivalent of 'lone wolf'. Often used for someone who works alone or doesn't join groups.
彼は一匹狼で、チームで働くのが苦手だ。
He's a lone wolf and isn't good at working in a team.
Describing a dangerous person who pretends to be harmless.
Direct equivalent of the idiom. Commonly understood.
あの人は羊の皮をかぶった狼だ。
That person is a wolf in sheep's clothing.
Raising a false alarm, leading others to ignore real danger.
From Aesop's fable 'The Boy Who Cried Wolf'. Recognizable but not a common everyday idiom. More often explained than used idiomatically.
何度も「狼が来たぞ」と言っていると、誰も信じなくなる。
If you keep crying wolf, no one will believe you.
To convey the meaning without the fable reference, describe the action: 'repeatedly give false warnings'.
嘘の警告を繰り返すと、本当の危険が来たときに誰も助けてくれない。
If you keep giving false warnings, no one will help when real danger comes.
Eating food very quickly and greedily.
Natural way to say 'eat greedily/ravenously'. No direct wolf reference.
彼は昼食をがつがつ食べた。
He wolfed down his lunch.
More literary or emphatic; 'devour'. Can sound dramatic.
狼のようにむさぼり食った。
He devoured it like a wolf.
A whistle of admiration, often directed at an attractive person.
Simply 'to whistle'. Add context like 'at a woman' to clarify. No specific wolf whistle phrase.
男性が女性に口笛を吹いた。
The man wolf-whistled at the woman.
Have enough money to avoid hunger or poverty.
Means 'stave off hunger'. No wolf imagery. Natural for describing barely managing to survive.
そのお金でどうにか飢えをしのいだ。
That money kept the wolf from the door.
Many English idioms with 'wolf' do not use 狼 in Japanese. For example, 'wolf down' is がつがつ食べる, not 狼のように食べる (which sounds unnatural). Always check if a natural Japanese equivalent exists.