アヒル

アヒル refers specifically to domesticated ducks, as opposed to wild ducks (鴨(かも)). Usually written in katakana, though the kanji 家鴨(あひる) exists (literally "house duck").

RELATED TERMS:

• 鴨(かも): wild duck (also used in cooking: 鴨(かも)肉(にく))
• アヒルの子(こ): duckling
• 合鴨(あいがも): crossbreed of wild and domestic duck
• 白鳥(はくちょう): swan

ONOMATOPOEIA:

• ガーガー: quacking sound
• よちよち: waddling motion (アヒル歩(ある)き — duck walk)

CULTURAL NOTE:
The story 「醜(みにく)いアヒルの子(こ)」 (The Ugly Duckling) is well known in Japan. Rubber ducks (アヒルのおもちゃ) are also a familiar bath toy.