How to Say "Maggot" in Japanese

ウジ

uji

The Japanese word for maggot is ウジ (uji).

ウジ refers to the larva of a dipterous insect that feeds on decomposing organic matter.

Meaning: dipterous insect's larva that eats decomposing organic matter (noun)

How do you pronounce it?

uji

The sound of ウジ is shared with several Japanese place names and surnames, meaning context is essential to avoid confusing a person's name with a larva.
The word ウジ can be used as part of the expression ウジウジ to describe someone who is hesitating or moping. In this context, it mimics the slow and wriggling movement of a maggot.
In Japanese culture, the phrase ウジ虫 ('maggot worm') is often used as a harsh insult to describe a person who is spineless or pathetic.

腐った肉にウジがわいている。
kusatta niku ni uji ga waite iru.
Maggots are breeding in the rotten meat.
ゴミ箱の中にウジを見つけた。
gomibako no naka ni uji o mitsuketa.
I found maggots inside the trash can.
ウジが這っているのが気持ち悪い。
uji ga haitte iru no ga kimochi warui.
It's gross seeing maggots crawling.

Two people are inspecting a pile of organic waste in a garden.

陽葵 Himari

見て、この堆肥にウジがいるよ。
mite, kono taihi ni uji ga iru yo.
Look, there are maggots in this compost.
蓮 Ren

本当だ、すごくたくさんいるね。
hontou da, sugoku takusan iru ne.
You're right, there are so many of them.
陽葵 Himari

嫌だな、早く片付けよう。
iya da na, hayaku katazukeyou.
How unpleasant, let's clean this up quickly.
蓮 Ren

そうだね、手袋をしよう。
sou da ne, tebukuro o shiyou.
Right, let's put on gloves.

Sources

⭐Share⭐ to appreciate human effort 🙏