猪(いのしし)

いのしし

noun

wild boar

1. wild boar

A wild pig with coarse hair and tusks. Wild boars are common in Japan's mountains and are also one of the twelve zodiac animals.

猪(いのしし)鍋(なべ)は冬(ふゆ)の味覚(みかく)だ。

Wild boar hot pot is a winter delicacy.

山(やま)で猪(いのしし)に遭(あ)ったら危険(きけん)だ。

It's dangerous if you encounter a wild boar in the mountains.

最近(さいきん)は猪(いのしし)が住宅地(じゅうたくち)にまで下(お)りてきて問題(もんだい)になっている。

Recently, wild boars have been coming down to residential areas, causing problems.

猪(いのしし) refers to wild boars.

Common expressions

猪突猛進(ちょとつもうしん) (rushing headlong; reckless charge)
猪(いのしし)鍋(なべ)/ぼたん鍋(なべ) (wild boar hot pot)
猪(いのしし)肉(にく) (wild boar meat)

Counter: 頭(とう)

Zodiac

猪(いのしし)/亥(い) is the 12th and last animal in the Japanese/Chinese zodiac. In China, the zodiac animal is a pig (豚(ぶた)), but in Japan it's specifically a wild boar.

Cultural note

Wild boars have become a nuisance in rural Japan, damaging crops and occasionally entering urban areas. 猪突猛進(ちょとつもうしん) describes someone who charges forward without thinking, like a boar.

general

Added 2026.1.14 20:02 · Revised 2026.9.30 9:34

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