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 TERMS:

  • 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.

general
Added 2026.3.19 15:58 · Revised 2026.3.31 12:18
17500/17861_shiikuin