How To Say Cow In Japanese

animals in Japanese

If you're taking Japanese lessons, yous've probably learned the basics similar greetings and phrases. Then, let's become into some fun Japanese vocabulary. Hither, Brighton, MA Japanese teacher Kaoru N. teaches you the names for common animals in Japanese…

1. Inu – 犬 / 狗 – Dog

Humans and dogs have a special bond, and merely like in the rest of the globe, dogs are important animals in Japanese.

There are two kanji lettersfor "dog," just the second one is less common, and only used when it's part of a word, for example: "走狗","天狗," (running dog).

The left part of the second kanji is called kemono-hen, the (beast-hen). In general, "hen" is the left office of thekanji,which indicates what thekanji is related to. If a kanji has this (hen) part, it well-nigh likely stands for some kind of animal or brute.

2. Neko – 猫 – Cat

Writing "cat" is a scrap more complicated than writing "canis familiaris" in Japanese. Notice this kanji too contains the "beast-hen."

3. Saru – 猿 – Monkey

There are a lot of Japanese legends and idioms nigh monkeys, they're important animals in the Japanese culture.

In some Japanese hot springs, you can bathe with wild monkeys. If you go sightseeing in Nikko, you will meet lots of monkeys in the streets. Brand sure to hide your plastic numberless from the monkeys in Nikko. The monkeys know plastic bags usually contain food, and they will attack y'all and try to take your food!

A law protects the monkeys, and so you cannot harm them. In some cases, monkeys are smart and friendly; in other cases, they can exist sly and mean.

four. Kitsune – 狐 – Fox

In Nihon, the fob is treated both as a monster and a god. Co-ordinate to Japanese superstition, these animals have supernatural powers and can fox on humans.

Because of these supernatural abilities, Japanese people mostly respect and fright animals that dwell in the wild. A fox represents these mountain-dwelling house animals. In that location are nonetheless a lot of fob shrines all over Japan.

5. Tanuki – 狸 – Raccoon

A raccoon is another wild, mountain-abode creature. There is a Japanese expression about these kinds of "monstrous" animals: "狐狸の類い" (kori no tagui),which ways "a kind of play tricks and raccoon."

6. Kuma – 熊 – Carry

Bears aren't supernatural, but they're still dangerous. Several people are killed by bear attacks each year. Sometimes, bears visit human-inhabited areas in search of food. If you get to the mountains in Nippon, picket out for bears.

7. Sika – 鹿 – Deer

Deer live deep in the mountains in Nippon. Simply In Nara, you lot tin run into deer everywhere.

Deer are a nationally-protected species, and then yous can't damage them, even though they tin can potentially hurt you. Only like monkeys, they're beautiful but dangerous.

8. Tori – 鳥 / 鶏 – Bird / Chicken

There are two unlike kanji for this beast, and they're pronounced exactly the same. The kanji on the left means "bird," simply the kanji on the right refers to a chicken or a rooster.

nine. Ushi – 牛 – Cow / Balderdash

Cows are of import animals in Japan, especially as agricultural resources. Not only are cows useful for meat and milk, in the past, ushi-kai (cow shepherds) used cows to till the land and carry heavy supplies.

10. Uma – 馬 – Horse

You can't talk about a cow without mentioning a horse, of course. For war machine and agricultural purposes, horses are just equally important as cows.

Surprisingly, in Japan, we fifty-fifty incorporate horse meat in meals. In fact, a horse sashimi plate is a very common food item. Non quite ready to attempt equus caballus sashimi? Hither'due south a guide to some more conventional sushi!

Here's a chart to assist you acquire the animals in Japanese.

animals in Japanese

Now that you know how to say common creature names in Japanese, detect out which Japanese beast you lot are in this fun quiz!

Post Author: Kaoru N.
Kaoru teaches Japanese, guitar, and classical guitar lessons in Brighton, MA. Originally from Tokyo, he graduated from Berklee Higher of Music with a dual major, and is available for in-home, in-studio, and online lessons. Acquire more most Kaoru here!