1.
carnivore; meat-eating animal; predator
An animal that primarily eats meat. Used in biology and everyday conversation about animals. Contrasts with 草食動物 (herbivore) and 雑食動物 (omnivore).
ライオンは肉食動物だ。
Lions are carnivores.
肉食動物は鋭い牙を持っている。
Carnivores have sharp fangs.
動物園では肉食動物と草食動物は別のエリアに分けられている。
At the zoo, carnivores and herbivores are separated into different areas.
A compound of 肉食 (meat-eating) + 動物 (animal). Used in both scientific and everyday contexts.
ANIMAL CLASSIFICATION SET:
- 肉食動物: carnivore (meat-eating animal)
- 草食動物: herbivore (plant-eating animal)
- 雑食動物: omnivore (eats both)
COMMON EXAMPLES:
- ライオン, トラ, オオカミ, ワシ
FIGURATIVE USE:
肉食系 describes an aggressive, assertive person, especially in dating contexts. Its counterpart 草食系 describes a passive, non-aggressive person. These terms became popular slang in the late 2000s.
RELATED TERMS:
- 捕食者: predator (more scientific)
- 食物連鎖: food chain