牛(うし)

うし
noun
cow, cattle, bull
1. cow, cattle
A domesticated bovine animal.
牛(うし)を飼(か)う。
To raise cattle.
牛(うし)が草(くさ)を食(た)べている。
The cow is eating grass.
牛肉(ぎゅうにく)を買(か)った。
I bought beef.
2. bull, ox
Male cattle.
雄(おす)牛(うし)が角(つの)を振(ふ)った。
The bull swung its horns.
牛(うし)に引(ひ)かれて善光寺(ぜんこうじ)参(まい)り。
Led by an ox to visit Zenkoji Temple.
Famous proverb meaning to be led to something good by an unexpected cause
昔(むかし)は牛(うし)が荷物(にもつ)を運(はこ)んでいた。
In the past, oxen carried loads.

牛(うし) is the general term for cattle, including cows, bulls, and oxen.

READINGS:

  • うし: standalone word for the animal
  • ぎゅう: used in compounds (牛肉(ぎゅうにく), 牛乳(ぎゅうにゅう))

COMMON COMPOUNDS:

  • 牛肉(ぎゅうにく): beef
  • 牛乳(ぎゅうにゅう): cow's milk
  • 乳牛(にゅうぎゅう): dairy cow
  • 子牛(こうし): calf
  • 和牛(わぎゅう): Japanese beef cattle (wagyu)
  • 牛丼(ぎゅうどん): beef bowl

COUNTER:
Large animals like cattle are counted with 頭(とう): 一(いっ)頭(とう)、二(に)頭(とう).

CULTURAL NOTE:
The 丑(うし) (ox/cow) is the second animal in the 十二支(じゅうにし) (Chinese zodiac).

general
Added 2026.1.9 21:30 · Revised 2026.3.26 15:22
01500/01857_ushi