肉食動物(にくしょくどうぶつ)

にくしょくどうぶつ
noun
carnivore; meat-eating animal
animal-general
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(にくしょくどうぶつ)だ。
Lions are carnivores.
肉食動物(にくしょくどうぶつ)は鋭(するど)い牙(きば)を持(も)っている。
Carnivores have sharp fangs.
動物園(どうぶつえん)では肉食動物(にくしょくどうぶつ)と草食動物(そうしょくどうぶつ)は別(べつ)のエリアに分(わ)けられている。
At the zoo, carnivores and herbivores are separated into different areas.

A compound of 肉食(にくしょく) (meat-eating) + 動物(どうぶつ) (animal). Used in both scientific and everyday contexts.

Animal classification set

Common examples

Usage

肉食系(にくしょくけい) describes an aggressive, assertive person, especially in dating contexts. Its counterpart 草食系(そうしょくけい) describes a passive, non-aggressive person. These terms became popular slang in the late 2000s.

Related words

Related Words

Antonym: 草食動物(そうしょくどうぶつ) (herbivore)
Related: 捕食者(ほしょくしゃ) (predator)
Related: 食物連鎖(しょくもつれんさ) (food chain)
Compare: 肉食系(にくしょくけい) (assertive type)
Related: 雑食動物(ざっしょくどうぶつ) (omnivore)
general
Added 2026.3.20 15:42 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
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