雄牛
oushi
The Japanese word for "bull" is 雄牛, pronounced oushi.
The term 雄牛 is used to refer specifically to an uncastrated adult male bovine.
Meaning: uncastrated adult male bovine (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
oushi
Did you know?
- The kanji 牛 is so common that it appears in many Japanese surnames, often appearing as part of the name 'Ushijima'.
- The word 牛 is used in the phrase 牛歩, which literally means 'bull's pace'. It is used to describe a political process or a crowd moving extremely slowly.
- In certain Japanese zodiac contexts, the 'bull' is actually referred to as the 'ox', and the word 丑 (ushi) is used instead of 牛.
Examples in context
- その雄牛はとても大きいです。sono oushi wa totemo ookii desu.That bull is very large.
- 農場に雄牛がいます。noujou ni oushi ga imasu.There is a bull on the farm.
- 雄牛の角は鋭いです。oushi no tsuno wa surudoi desu.The bull's horns are sharp.
Example conversation
At a local farm attraction.
- 美咲 Misakiあそこに雄牛がいますよ。asoko ni oushi ga imasu yo.There is a bull over there.
- 大翔 Hiroto本当だ、力強そうですね。hontou da, chikara tsuyosou desu ne.You're right, he looks powerful.
- 美咲 Misaki近くに寄らないでください。chikaku ni yoranaide kudasai.Please don't go near him.
- 大翔 Hirotoわかりました、気をつけます。wakarimashita, ki wo tsukemasu.I understand, I will be careful.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 雄牛, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
