動物 — meaning in English: animal

dōbutsu · Learn this word with quizzes, examples and more on Maspeak.

Guess the translation for animal

一目

hitome

UNIX

yūniks

合併

gappei

動物

dōbutsu

遅延

chien

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neutral very common

Usage

Native speakers use the word 動物 (dōbutsu) in various contexts, such as discussions about wildlife, pets, and in educational settings like zoos or nature documentaries. For example, a child might ask their parent about different 動物 when visiting a zoo, or a teacher might explain the importance of 動物 in an environmental science class.

Synonyms & nuances

A close synonym for 動物 is 生物 (seibutsu), which means 'living thing' and encompasses both animals and plants. You would use 動物 specifically when referring to animals, whereas 生物 is broader and can refer to any living organism.

Culture

The word 動物 is a compound of two characters: 動 (dō), meaning 'to move', and 物 (butsu), meaning 'thing'. This reflects the dynamic nature of animals in contrast to inanimate objects. Interestingly, in Japanese culture, animals often hold symbolic meanings, such as the fox (kitsune) representing intelligence and trickery, which enriches the significance of the term.

FAQ

Q.What does 動物 mean in English?

動物 (dōbutsu) means 'animal' in English, covering all types of creatures from pets to wild animals.

Q.How do you use 動物 in a sentence?

You can use 動物 in sentences like 'この動物はとてもかわいいです' (kono dōbutsu wa totemo kawaii desu), which translates to 'This animal is very cute.'

Q.Are there any common mistakes when using 動物?

A common mistake is using 動物 too broadly; remember it specifically refers to animals, not all living creatures. Use 生物 in contexts where you mean to include plants.

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