動物
dōbutsu[do̞ːbɯ̟t͡sɨ]
The English phrase "animals" is translated into Japanese as 動物 (dōbutsu).
動物 is a broad biological term used for all animals, including mammals, birds, reptiles and fish. For example, the word 鳥 (tori) is used to refer to a bird.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 動物 is composed of the kanji 動物, where 動 means "move" and 物 means "thing", literally meaning "moving thing".
Is it said differently in some regions?
In parts of Kyushu, ミークン is used to refer to a cat instead of neko.
How do you pronounce it?
動物 is pronounced as dōbutsu.
Did you know?
- Japanese has specific counters for animals based on their size and shape, such as 匹 (hiki) for small animals and 頭 (tō) for large animals like elephants or horses.
- The word for 'insect' 虫 (mushi) is often categorized separately from 動物 in casual conversation, even though insects are biologically animals.
- In Japanese media, characters often use the term 獣 (kemono) to refer to 'beasts' or 'wild animals', which carries a much more primal and fierce connotation than the general 動物.
Examples in context
- 猫は動物です。Cats are animals.This sentence is useful for stating that cats are animals.Tatoeba #11571587 by small_snow, translation #11566692 by shekitten
- 魚も動物ですか？Are fish also animals?This sentence is useful for asking if fish are also animals.Tatoeba #11467631 by small_snow, translation #10736586 by ddnktr
- 彼は動物が好きだ。He loves animals.This sentence is useful for expressing a love for animals.Tatoeba #101657 by bunbuku, translation #302036 by CK
- 144 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Yota and Misaki are talking about their interests at school.
- 美咲 Misaki陽太さんは何に興味がありますか？Youta-san wa nani ni kyoumi ga arimasu ka?Yota, what are you interested in?
- 陽太 Yota僕は動物にとても興味があります。Boku wa doubutsu ni totemo kyoumi ga arimasu.I am very interested in animals.
- 美咲 Misakiそうなんですね。どんな動物が好きですか？Sou nan desu ne. Donna doubutsu ga suki desu ka?I see. What kind of animals do you like?
- 陽太 Yota特に大きな動物が好きです。Tokuni ookina doubutsu ga suki desu.I especially like big animals.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 動物, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
