Dictionary
English - Japanese

Animal

ˈænəməl
Extremely common
600 - 700
600 - 700
The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000. This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.

動物 (どうぶつ), 生物 (せいぶつ), ペット (ぺっと), 動物界 (どうぶつかい), 獣 (けもの)

Animal meanings in Japanese

動物 (どうぶつ)

Example:
The lion is a wild animal.
ライオンは野生の動物です。
I love visiting the zoo to see different animals.
私はいろいろな動物を見るために動物園を訪れるのが好きです。
Usage: Formal/InformalContext: Used in general conversation, educational contexts, and scientific discussions.
Note: This is the most common and general term for 'animal' in Japanese.

生物 (せいぶつ)

Example:
Animals and plants are living organisms.
動物と植物は生物です。
The study of animals is part of biology.
動物の研究は生物学の一部です。
Usage: FormalContext: Used in scientific, academic, or formal discussions.
Note: This term refers to living organisms more broadly, including animals, plants, and microorganisms.

ペット (ぺっと)

Example:
I have a cat as a pet animal.
私はペットとして猫を飼っています。
Many people love their pet animals.
多くの人々は自分のペットを愛しています。
Usage: InformalContext: Used in casual conversation about household pets.
Note: This term specifically refers to domesticated animals kept for companionship.

動物界 (どうぶつかい)

Example:
The animal kingdom is diverse.
動物界は多様です。
Researchers study various species in the animal kingdom.
研究者たちは動物界のさまざまな種を研究しています。
Usage: FormalContext: Used in biological or ecological discussions.
Note: This term refers to the classification of animals as a kingdom in biological taxonomy.

獣 (けもの)

Example:
The beast is known for its strength.
その獣は力強さで知られています。
He has a fierce look like a wild animal.
彼は野生の獣のような凶暴な表情をしています。
Usage: InformalContext: Used in literary or poetic contexts, sometimes with a connotation of ferocity.
Note: This term usually refers to wild or ferocious animals.

Animal's synonyms

creature

A creature refers to any living being, often used to describe animals in a more general sense.
Example: The forest was filled with all sorts of creatures, big and small.
Note: Creature has a broader scope and can also include mythical or imaginary beings.

beast

Beast usually refers to animals, especially wild or large ones.
Example: The lion is known as the king of beasts.
Note: Beast carries a connotation of wildness or fierceness.

fauna

Fauna refers to the animal life of a particular region or period.
Example: The Galapagos Islands are home to a unique fauna of diverse species.
Note: Fauna is more specific and refers to the collective animal life of a specific area or time.

critter

Critter is an informal term for a living creature, often used affectionately.
Example: The old man had a pet critter that followed him everywhere.
Note: Critter is a colloquial and endearing term for animals.

Animal expressions, common phrases

Animal lover

Someone who has a great love and compassion for animals.
Example: She volunteers at the animal shelter because she is a true animal lover.
Note: This phrase refers to a person's affection for animals rather than the animals themselves.

Party animal

A person who enjoys attending and participating in parties or social gatherings.
Example: John is a real party animal, he never misses a chance to go out and have fun.
Note: The phrase is metaphorical, referring to a person's behavior at parties rather than an actual animal.

Let the cat out of the bag

To reveal a secret or disclose information that was supposed to be kept confidential.
Example: I wasn't supposed to tell anyone about the surprise party, but I accidentally let the cat out of the bag.
Note: The phrase uses a cat as a metaphor for revealing something rather than a literal cat.

Hold your horses

To wait or be patient before taking action.
Example: Before you make a decision, hold your horses and think it through.
Note: The phrase uses horses as a metaphor for impulsive behavior, not literal horses.

Don't have a cow

To tell someone not to overreact or get upset about something minor.
Example: Don't have a cow, it's just a small scratch on the car.
Note: The phrase uses a cow as a metaphor for getting overly upset, not a real cow.

The lion's share

The largest portion or the majority of something.
Example: He took the lion's share of the credit for the project, even though we all worked hard.
Note: The phrase uses a lion as a metaphor for dominance or taking the biggest portion.

Like a fish out of water

To feel uncomfortable or out of place in a particular situation or environment.
Example: In the new school, she felt like a fish out of water until she made some friends.
Note: The phrase uses a fish as a metaphor for feeling awkward or uneasy, not a literal fish.

Animal everyday (slang) expressions

Furry friend

This term is often used affectionately to refer to a pet, particularly one with fur like a dog or cat.
Example: My furry friend always greets me at the door when I come home.
Note: While 'animal' is a broad term, 'furry friend' highlights the emotional bond between a person and their pet with fur.

Pet

In common usage, 'pet' refers to an animal that is domesticated and kept for companionship.
Example: I love spending time with my pet; he brings so much joy into my life.
Note: While 'animal' is a general term, 'pet' specifies an animal that is owned and cared for by a person for companionship.

Animal - Examples

Animal welfare is important.
The zoo has a variety of animals.
She has an animal instinct for survival.

Animal grammar

Animal - Noun (Noun) / Noun, singular or mass (Noun, singular or mass)
Lemma: animal
Conjugations
Adjective (Adjective): animal
Noun, plural (Noun, plural): animals
Noun, singular or mass (Noun, singular or mass): animal
Syllables, Separation and Stress
animal Contains 3 syllables: an • i • mal
Phonetic transcription: ˈa-nə-məl
an i mal , ˈa məl (The red syllable is stressed)

Animal - Importance and usage frequency

The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000.
animal: 600 - 700 (Extremely common).
This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.
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