Japanese Conversation · Level 40
90 words
Japanese word
動物
Pronunciation
Romajidōbutsu
Meaning
- nounanimal
Example
私は動物が好きです。watashi wa dō butsu ga su ki de su
I like animals.
More examples
動物が好きです。dō butsu ga su ki de su
I like animals.
子どもたちは動物を見て喜びました。ko do mo ta chi wa dō butsu o mi te yoroko bi ma shi ta
The children were happy to see the animals.
Core concept
It describes a living being that moves by itself and is understood as separate from plants and objects.
Common phrases
動物を飼うdō butsu o ka u
keep an animal
動物の世話dō butsu no se wa
animal care
野生の動物ya sei no dō butsu
wild animal
Similar words
生き物ikimono: A living thing that includes animals and other forms of life.
Definition in Japanese
植物などと異なり、自ら動く生物の総称。shoku butsu na do to koto na ri mizuka ra ugo ku sei butsu no sō shō
Word origin
動物 (dōbutsu) is a Sino-Japanese compound of 動 (dō, "move") and 物 (butsu, "thing"), so its structure presents an animal as a moving thing.
Usage tips
- The Japanese title どうぶつの森 (Dōbutsu no Mori) uses 動物 (dōbutsu) for "animal," linking the word to the internationally known game series Animal Crossing.