アヒル

あひる
noun
duck (domestic)
1. domestic duck
A domesticated duck, typically white, raised for eggs, meat, or as a pet.
アヒルが池(いけ)で泳(およ)いでいる。
Ducks are swimming in the pond.
アヒルが「ガーガー」と鳴(な)く。
The duck quacks.
子供(こども)がアヒルに餌(えさ)をやっている。
The child is feeding the ducks.

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.

Related Words

Contrast: 鴨(かも) (wild duck)
Related: 白鳥(はくちょう) (swan)
Related: 鳥(とり) (bird)
general
Added 2026.1.16 12:26 · Revised 2026.4.13 18:32
05000/05201_ahiru