ペット
petto[pe̞t̚to̞]
The English word 'pet' is translated into Japanese as ペット (petto). Wiktionary also lists 愛玩動物 (aigan dōbutsu).
Meaning: an animal kept as a companion (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| ペット | petto | [pe̞t̚to̞] (narrow) |
| 愛玩動物 | aigan dōbutsu | [a̠iɡa̠n do̞ːbɯ̟t͡sɨ] (narrow) |
The term refers to an animal kept as a companion.
What does it mean word for word?
The formal term 愛玩動物 is composed of two parts: 愛玩 (aigan), which means 'fondling' or 'playing with' and 動物 (dōbutsu), which means 'animal'.
Which one should you use?
ペット is the common, everyday term used for any kind of pet. In contrast, 愛玩動物 is a formal or technical term used in legal, scientific or official contexts to mean 'companion animal'.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
petto
Did you know?
- In certain contexts, the word ペット can also be an abbreviation for the word トランペット, which means 'trumpet'.
- In Japan, the concept of a 'pet' often includes 'exotic' animals like hedgehogs or sugar gliders, which are frequently marketed as ペット in specialized shops.
Examples in context
- ペット飼ったことある？Have you ever had a pet?This sentence is useful for asking if someone has ever owned a pet using ペット.Tatoeba #3561952 by tommy_san, translation #2713491 by CK
- ペットを飼ってますか？Do you have a pet?This sentence is useful for asking if someone currently keeps a pet using ペット.Tatoeba #11052133 by small_snow, translation #953189 by CK
- ペットを飼っていますか。Have you got a pet?Tatoeba #5598833 by e4zh1nmcz, translation #2612091 by sundown
- 彼女はペットを飼っていますか？Does she have any pets?
- 21 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Ren and Misaki are talking about their favorite animals.
- 蓮 Ren美咲さんはペットを飼いたいですか？Misaki-san wa petto o kaitai desu ka?Misaki, do you want to have a pet?
- 美咲 Misakiはい、いつか犬を飼いたいです。Hai, itsuka inu o kaitai desu.Yes, I want to have a dog someday.
- 蓮 Renいいですね。僕もペットが欲しいです。Ii desu ne. Boku mo petto ga hoshii desu.That's nice. I want a pet too.
- 美咲 Misaki蓮さんは何がいいですか？Ren-san wa nani ga ii desu ka?What kind would you like, Ren?
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pet” translations and entries ペット, 愛玩動物, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ペット, 愛玩動物, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
