野良
nora
The Japanese word for stray, as in a domestic animal that is at large or lost, is 野良 (nora).
The term 野良猫 is an informal way to refer to a stray cat, specifically a cat that lives outdoors without a designated owner or home.
Meaning: domestic animal at large or lost (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
nora
Did you know?
- In certain technical contexts, the term 野良 is used by programmers to describe 'wild' or unmanaged code and processes that are running unexpectedly.
- Japan has 'cat islands' like Tashirojima where 野良猫 vastly outnumber humans. On these islands, the strays are often protected by local beliefs that they bring good luck to fishermen.
- The word 野良 was originally used to describe 'field' work, such as 野良仕事, which refers to laboring in the fields. Calling a cat 野良猫 implies it belongs to the wild fields rather than a home.
Examples in context
- 近所で迷い猫を見かけました。I saw a stray cat in the neighborhood.
- この辺りには野良猫がたくさんいます。There are many stray cats around here.
- 近くの公園で迷い犬を見つけました。I found a stray dog at the nearby park.
- この地域では野良犬の問題が深刻化しています。The issue of stray dogs is becoming more serious in this area.
- 野良猫を見かけました。nora neko o mikakemashita.I saw a stray cat.
- 野良犬が公園にいます。norainu ga kouen ni imasu.There is a stray dog in the park.
Example conversation
Kenta and Yui are walking through a neighborhood park.
- 健太 Kentaあ、野良猫がいるよ。A, nora neko ga iru yo.Oh, there's a stray cat.
- 結衣 Yui本当だ、可愛いね。Hontou da, kawaii ne.You're right, it's cute.
- 健太 Kentaあの猫、どこから来たのかな？Ano neko, doko kara kita no kana?I wonder where that cat came from?
- 結衣 Yui近くに住んでいるのかもしれないね。Chikaku ni sunde iru no kamo shirenai ne.Maybe it lives nearby.
