どうぶつの森
Doubutsu no Mori
どうぶつの森 (Doubutsu no Mori) is the Japanese phrase for Animal Crossing.
This phrase refers to the popular series of social simulation video games developed by Nintendo.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase breaks down as follows: どうぶつ means animal, の is a particle indicating possession or a relationship (functioning like 'of').
Which one should you use?
あつまれ どうぶつの森 refers specifically to the Nintendo Switch version, Animal Crossing: New Horizons. There is also an informal, shortened version of the title, どう森.
How do you pronounce it?
Doubutsu no Mori
Did you know?
- In Japan, the phrase どうぶつの森 is often associated with 'slow life' culture, a philosophy of escaping the hectic city pace to find peace in a rural setting.
- The title uses Hiragana for どうぶつ rather than the standard Kanji 動物, a stylistic choice designed to make the brand feel soft, cute, and approachable to children.
- The title of the newest version, あつまれ どうぶつの森, adds the verb あつまれ (atsumare), which is the imperative form of 'to gather', making the title a command to 'Gather, Animal Forest'.
Examples in context
- トムって「あつまれ どうぶつの森」をやるのかな？Does Tom play Animal Crossing?This sentence is useful for asking if someone plays the game using the form どうぶつの森.Tatoeba #9343777 by small_snow, translation #9343747 by DJ_Saidez
- 「金のなる木なんてないよ」「どうぶつの森したことないでしょう？」"Money doesn't grow on trees." "I see you haven't played Animal Crossing before."This sentence uses the form どうぶつの森 to imply someone lacks experience with the game.Tatoeba #10136164 by small_snow, translation #10136120 by DJ_Saidez
- どうぶつの森を紹介します。I will introduce "Animal Crossing."
- 「どうぶつの森」は本当に癒やされるゲームだ。「どうぶつのもり」はほんとうにいやされるゲームだ。Animal Crossing is a truly relaxing game.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Misaki and Yota are talking about their hobbies at home.
- 美咲 Misaki陽太くんは、どうぶつの森を持ってる？Yōta-kun wa, Dōbutsu no Mori o motteru?Yota, do you have Animal Crossing?
- 陽太 Yotaうん、持ってるよ。美咲さんもやるの？Un, motteru yo. Misaki-san mo yaru no?Yeah, I do. Do you play it too, Misaki?
- 美咲 Misakiやりたいけど、まだ買ってないんだ。Yaritai kedo, mada katte nain da.I want to play, but I haven't bought it yet.
- 陽太 Yotaすごく癒やされるから、おすすめだよ。Sugoku iyasareru kara, osusume da yo.It's very relaxing, so I highly recommend it.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
