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Level 3
牛

Cow

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Meaning

Primary

Cow

Alternatives

Bull, Ox

Word Type

noun

Explanation

The kanji and the word are the same. This word is a bit broader than cow though, and can also be used to be bull and ox.

Reading

うし
  • Kyoko
    (Tokyo accent, female)
  • Kenichi
    (Tokyo accent, male)

Explanation

Since this word is made up of a single kanji, it uses the kun'yomi reading. Here's a mnemonic to help you to remember it:

You're leading the cows around the field. To get them to move, you yell out "USH, USH, USH!" (うし) because you have a speech impediment and want to say "MUSH MUSH MUSH." Go ahead and say this out loud, yelling it if you can.

Context

Patterns of Use

牛を〜 〜牛 牛の〜

Common Word Combinations

  • 牛をほうぼくする

    to graze cattle

    牛をかう

    to own a cow

    牛をそだてる

    to raise cattle

Context Sentences

牛がたくさんいますね。

There are many cows.

牛のステーキとチキンステーキ、どっちがいい？

Which would you like, a beef steak or a chicken steak?

うちのペットは牛です。

My pet is a cow.

Kanji Composition

  1. 牛
    ぎゅう Cow