1.
female (animal)
The female sex of an animal. Used for animals, insects, and sometimes plants, but not for humans in standard usage.
この猫は雌です。
This cat is female.
雌のカブトムシには角がない。
Female rhinoceros beetles don't have horns.
雌ライオンが群れの狩りを担当することが多い。
Female lions are often the ones responsible for the pride's hunting.
雌 refers to the female sex of animals, insects, and sometimes plants. Never used for humans in standard usage.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 雌の犬: female dog
- 雌の猫: female cat
- 雌の鹿: female deer
- 雌雄: male and female (literary compound)
- 雌雄を決する: to decide the winner (figurative)
WARNING:
Using 雌 for a human is extremely rude and dehumanizing. For humans, use 女性 (woman, formal) or 女 (female, neutral).
KANJI NOTE:
Also written as メス in katakana in scientific or veterinary contexts. The kanji 雌 uses the "bird" radical, reflecting its original use for bird sex.
ANTONYM:
雄 (male animal).
Related Words
Antonym:
雄 (male (animal))