個体(こたい)

こたい
noun
individual (organism), specimen
See also: 固体(こたい) (solid (substance))
1. individual, single organism, specimen
A single, distinct living organism as opposed to a group, species, or population. Used primarily in scientific and biological contexts.
この種(しゅ)には約(やく)100個体(こたい)しか残(のこ)っていない。
Only about 100 individuals of this species remain.
個体(こたい)によって大(おお)きさにばらつきがある。
Size varies from individual to individual.
個体によって = depending on the individual
研究者(けんきゅうしゃ)たちは野生(やせい)の個体(こたい)を追跡(ついせき)調査(ちょうさ)している。
Researchers are tracking and studying wild individuals.

Usage: 個体(こたい) is primarily used in scientific, biological, and ecological contexts. For everyday use referring to individual people or things, 個人(こじん) (individual person) or 一人(ひとり)/一(ひと)つ are more natural.

Common collocations

  • 個体(こたい)数(すう) (population count, number of individuals)
  • 個体(こたい)差(さ) (individual differences/variation)
  • 個体(こたい)識別(しきべつ) (individual identification)

Homophone: 固体(こたい) means 'solid (state of matter)' - different kanji, different meaning.

Related Words

Compare: 固体(こたい) (solid (state))
Compare: 群体(ぐんたい) (colony (biology))
general
Added 2026.1.13 20:35 · Revised 2026.9.30 9:34
04000/04028_kotai