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.
猪鍋は冬の味覚だ。
Wild boar hot pot is a winter delicacy.
山で猪に遭ったら危険だ。
It's dangerous if you encounter a wild boar in the mountains.
最近は猪が住宅地にまで下りてきて問題になっている。
Recently, wild boars have been coming down to residential areas, causing problems.
猪 refers to wild boars.
Common expressions:
- 猪突猛進 (rushing headlong; reckless charge)
- 猪鍋/ぼたん鍋 (wild boar hot pot)
- 猪肉 (wild boar meat)
Counter: 頭
Zodiac:
猪/亥 is the 12th and last animal in the Japanese/Chinese zodiac. In China, the zodiac animal is a pig (豚), 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 describes someone who charges forward without thinking, like a boar.