鴨(かも)

かも
noun
duck (wild)
animal-birdfood
1. duck, wild duck
A wild duck, as distinct from domesticated ducks. Common in Japanese cuisine (especially in soba dishes) and frequently seen in parks and rivers.
池(いけ)に鴨(かも)がいる。
There are ducks in the pond.
鴨(かも)そばを注文(ちゅうもん)した。
I ordered duck soba.
冬(ふゆ)になると、渡(わた)り鳥(どり)の鴨(かも)が日本(にほん)の湖(みずうみ)や川(かわ)にやってくる。
In winter, migratory ducks come to Japan's lakes and rivers.
2. easy mark, sucker, dupe
Slang for a person who is easy to take advantage of or deceive. From the idea of a duck being easy prey for hunters.
観光客(かんこうきゃく)はいい鴨(かも)だ。
Tourists are easy marks.
詐欺師(さぎし)は鴨(かも)を探(さが)している。
The swindler is looking for a sucker.
鴨(かも)がねぎを背負(しょ)ってくるとは、まさにこのことだ。
This is exactly what they mean by 'a duck carrying a green onion on its back' — a perfect setup.

Cultural note

Duck is a traditional ingredient in Japanese cuisine, especially in 鴨(かも)そば and 鴨(かも)なんばん (duck noodle soup). The proverb 鴨(かも)がねぎを背負(しょ)ってくる (a duck comes carrying a green onion) means that something convenient or fortunate arrives on its own — like a duck bringing its own garnish for the pot.

Note on kanji

Often written in katakana as カモ in scientific or casual contexts. The kanji 鴨(かも) is used in culinary and literary contexts.

Common collocations

  • 鴨(かも)そば: duck soba noodles
  • 鴨(かも)なんばん: duck noodle soup
  • 鴨(かも)肉(にく): duck meat
  • いい鴨(かも): an easy mark
general
Added 2026.3.19 8:07 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
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