雌(めす)

めす
noun
female (animal)
animal-general
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(ねこ)は雌(めす)です。
This cat is female.
雌(めす)のカブトムシには角(つの)がない。
Female rhinoceros beetles don't have horns.
雌(めす)ライオンが群(む)れの狩(か)りを担当(たんとう)することが多(おお)い。
Female lions are often the ones responsible for the pride's hunting.

雌(めす) refers to the female sex of animals, insects, and sometimes plants. Never used for humans in standard usage.

Common collocations

  • 雌(めす)の犬(いぬ): female dog
  • 雌(めす)の猫(ねこ): female cat
  • 雌(めす)の鹿(しか): female deer
  • 雌雄(しゆう): male and female (literary compound)
  • 雌雄(しゆう)を決(けっ)する: to decide the winner (figurative)

Watch out

Using 雌(めす) for a human is extremely rude and dehumanizing. For humans, use 女性(じょせい) (woman, formal) or 女(おんな) (female, neutral).

Writing

Also written as メス in katakana in scientific or veterinary contexts. The kanji 雌(めす) uses the "bird" radical, reflecting its original use for bird sex.

Similar words

雄(おす) (male animal).

Related Words

Antonym: 雄(おす) (male (animal))
general
Added 2026.2.15 18:12 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
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