飼 育 員(しいくいん)

しいくいん

noun

zookeeper; animal caretaker

1. zookeeper; animal caretaker; animal keeper

A person who cares for and manages animals at a zoo, aquarium, or similar facility. Responsible for feeding, health monitoring, and habitat maintenance.

飼育員(しいくいん)がパンダに餌(えさ)をあげている。

The zookeeper is feeding the panda.

子(こ)どもの頃(ころ)から動物園(どうぶつえん)の飼育員(しいくいん)になるのが夢(ゆめ)だった。

Since childhood, my dream has been to become a zookeeper.

飼育員(しいくいん)の解説(かいせつ)を聞(き)きながら、動物(どうぶつ)たちの生態(せいたい)について学(まな)んだ。

I learned about the animals' ecology while listening to the zookeeper's explanation.

Compound of 飼育(しいく) (breeding/raising animals) + 員(いん) (staff member). Refers to a person who professionally cares for animals.

Common collocations

動物園(どうぶつえん)の飼育員(しいくいん): zookeeper
水族館(すいぞくかん)の飼育員(しいくいん): aquarium keeper
飼育員(しいくいん)の仕事(しごと): zookeeper's work
飼育員(しいくいん)体験(たいけん): zookeeper experience program

Related words

飼育(しいく): animal husbandry, breeding
獣医(じゅうい): veterinarian
調教師(ちょうきょうし): animal trainer

Cultural note

A perennially popular dream job among Japanese children. Many zoos and aquariums offer 飼育員(しいくいん)体験(たいけん) programs where visitors can try feeding and caring for animals.

Related Words

Related: 飼育(しいく) (animal husbandry)

Related: 獣医(じゅうい) (veterinarian)

Compare: 飼(か)い主(ぬし) (pet owner)

general

Added 2026.3.19 15:58 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

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