雑種
zasshu
In Japan, a mongrel dog is 雑種, read zasshu.
雑種 means a mixed breed animal. It is used for dogs and cats and also in biology for hybrids.
What does it mean word for word?
雑 means mixed or miscellaneous and 種 means kind or species.
How do you pronounce it?
Say zasshu with a short pause on the double s.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Use it only about animals. Said of people it is a serious insult.
Did you know?
- In Japanese pet culture, many people avoid 雑種 entirely, opting for the English-derived loanword ミックス犬 (mix dog) to sound more sophisticated.
- Because the character 雑 can mean 'crude' or 'rough', using it to describe someone's work implies it is 'sloppy' or 'poorly executed'.
- The character 雑 in 雑種 is also found in the word 雑談, which refers to 'idle chatter' or 'small talk'.
Examples in context
- この子は雑種です。Kono ko wa zasshu desu.This dog is a mongrel.
- 雑種の犬が大好きです。Zasshu no inu ga daisuki desu.I love mixed-breed dogs.
- あそこで雑種が走っています。Asoko de zasshu ga hashitte imasu.A mongrel is running over there.
Example conversation
A man and a woman are walking in a park.
- 陽葵 Himariあの犬、可愛いですね。Ano inu, kawaii desu ne.That dog is cute, isn't it?
- 蓮 Renはい、雑種ですがとても賢いです。Hai, zasshu desu ga totemo kashikoi desu.Yes, he is a mongrel but very smart.
- 陽葵 Himari蓮さんは犬に詳しいんですね。Ren-san wa inu ni kuwashii desu ne.Ren, you know a lot about dogs.
- 蓮 Renはい、昔から犬を飼っています。Hai, mukashi kara inu o katte imasu.Yes, I have kept dogs since a long time ago.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 雑種, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
