JLPT · Level 193
16 words
Japanese word
鼠
Pronunciation
Romajinezumi
Meaning
- nounmouse
Example
古い家に鼠が住んでいます。furu i ie ni nezumi ga su n de i ma su
A mouse lives in the old house.
More examples
台所に鼠が現れました。dai dokoro ni nezumi ga arawa re ma shi ta
A mouse appeared in the kitchen.
Core concept
Refers to a small, long-tailed rodent, without always making the mouse-and-rat distinction that English commonly makes.
Common phrases
鼠を捕るnezumi o to ru
catch a mouse
鼠の穴nezumi no ana
mouse hole
Definition in Japanese
家や野原などにすむ、小型で尾の長いげっ歯類を指す語。ie ya no hara na do ni su mu ko gata de o no naga i ge hha rui o sa su go
Word origin
As a native Japanese noun, ねずみ (nezumi, "mouse or rat") is written with the single character 鼠 (nezumi), and a shortened form ねず (nezu) also exists.
Usage tips
- The compound 鼠算 (nezumi-zan, "rapid multiplication") describes fast growth by comparing it with the quick increase of mice.
Other meanings
- ratnoun