生物(せいぶつ)

せいぶつ
noun
living thing, organism
1. living thing, organism, creature
Any living entity, including animals, plants, and microorganisms.
海(うみ)には様々(さまざま)な生物(せいぶつ)がいる。
There are various organisms in the ocean.
生物(せいぶつ)多様性(たようせい)を守(まも)ることが大切(たいせつ)だ。
It's important to protect biodiversity.
微(び)生物(せいぶつ)は目(め)に見(み)えない。
Microorganisms cannot be seen with the naked eye.

生物(せいぶつ) is the scientific or formal term for living things, encompassing animals, plants, and microorganisms. A compound of 生(せい) (life) + 物(ぶつ) (thing).

COMMON COMPOUNDS:

  • 生物(せいぶつ)学(がく): biology
  • 微(び)生物(せいぶつ): microorganism
  • 生物(せいぶつ)多様性(たようせい): biodiversity
  • 海洋(かいよう)生物(せいぶつ): marine life
  • 生物(せいぶつ)兵器(へいき): biological weapon

CONTRAST:

  • 生物(せいぶつ): living thing (scientific, includes all organisms)
  • 生(い)き物(もの): living thing (everyday speech, often refers to animals)
  • 動物(どうぶつ): animal (excludes plants)

NOTE:
Also read as なまもの, meaning raw or uncooked food. Context makes the reading clear.

Related Words

Related: 生(い)き物(もの) (living thing (casual))
general
Added 2026.1.12 10:11 · Revised 2026.4.8 13:19
03000/03295_seibutsu