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.
USAGE:
雌 is used exclusively for animals. For humans, use 女性 (woman) or 女 (female). Using 雌 for a human is extremely rude and dehumanizing.
The opposite is 雄 (male animal).
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 雌の犬: female dog
- 雌の猫: female cat
- 雌雄: male and female, the two sexes (literary)
Related Words
Antonym:
雄 (male (animal))