Japanese Conversation · Level 133
60 words
Japanese word
鶏
Pronunciation
Romajiniwatori
Meaning
- nounchicken
Example
鶏が卵を産みます。niwatori ga tamago o u mi ma su
The chicken lays eggs.
More examples
その鶏は白いです。so no niwatori wa shiro i de su
That chicken is white.
祖母は庭で鶏を飼っています。so bo wa niwa de niwatori o ka tte i ma su
My grandmother keeps chickens in her yard.
Core concept
It denotes a familiar domestic bird that people keep for its eggs and meat.
Common phrases
鶏を飼うniwatori o ka u
raise chickens
鶏の卵niwatori no tamago
chicken eggs
Definition in Japanese
卵や肉を食用にするために人が飼う鳥。tamago ya niku o shoku yō ni su ru ta me ni hito ga ka u tori
Word origin
As a native Japanese compound, 鶏 (niwatori, "chicken") combines 庭 (niwa, "garden") and 鳥 (tori, "bird"), referring to a bird kept near a home.
Usage tips
- English uses chicken for both the bird and its meat, while Japanese distinguishes 鶏 (niwatori) from 鶏肉 (toriniku, "chicken meat") in ordinary food contexts.