Japanese word

個体

Pronunciation

Romajikotai

Meaning

  • nounindividual

Example

この個体はほかより大きいです。ko no ko tai wa ho ka yo ri ō ki i de su

This individual is larger than the others.

Illustration for 個体 (individual)

More examples

この個体には特有の模様があります。ko no ko tai ni wa toku yū no mo yō ga a ri ma su

This individual has a distinctive pattern.

Core concept

Describes one distinct person, living thing, or object considered separately from others of the same kind.

Common phrases

  • 個体ごとの違いko tai go to no chiga i

    differences between individuals

  • 個体を観察するko tai o kan satsu su ru

    observe an individual

  • 個体を識別するko tai o shiki betsu su ru

    identify an individual

Similar words

個人kojin: A single person considered separately from a group or society.
単体tantai: A single unit or object considered separately from other units.

Definition in Japanese

同じ種類の中で、他と区別して一つとして扱う人や生物など。ona ji shu rui no naka de ta to ku betsu shi te hito tsu to shi te atsuka u hito ya sei butsu na do

Word origin

個体 (kotai) combines 個 (ko, "single") and 体 (tai, "body"), forming a Sino-Japanese compound for one distinct body or unit.

Usage tips

  • In biology, individual contrasts with population, which refers to a group of individuals of the same kind in a particular area.

Other meanings

  • specimennoun

Opposites

Related words

  • 個体化kotaikaindividualizationnoun
  • 個体性kotaiseiindividualitynoun

Word lists with this word