草食動物(そうしょくどうぶつ)

そうしょくどうぶつ
noun
herbivore; plant-eating animal
natureanimal-generalscience
1. herbivore; plant-eating animal
An animal that feeds primarily on plants. Also used figuratively (especially 草食系) to describe a passive, unassertive person, particularly in the context of romantic relationships.
牛(うし)は草食動物(そうしょくどうぶつ)だ。
Cows are herbivores.
草食動物(そうしょくどうぶつ)は植物(しょくぶつ)を食(た)べて生(い)きている。
Herbivores live by eating plants.
サバンナでは草食動物(そうしょくどうぶつ)が肉食動物(にくしょくどうぶつ)に狙(ねら)われる。
On the savanna, herbivores are targeted by carnivores.

Compound of 草食(そうしょく) (herbivorous, plant-eating) and 動物(どうぶつ) (animal). A standard biological term that has also taken on cultural significance in modern Japanese.

Cultural note

The term 草食系(そうしょくけい) (herbivore type) became a widely-used buzzword describing men (and sometimes women) who are passive, gentle, and uninterested in actively pursuing romantic relationships. The contrasting term is 肉食系(にくしょくけい) (carnivore type) for aggressive, assertive pursuers.

Related words

Related Words

Antonym: 肉食動物(にくしょくどうぶつ) (carnivore)
Related: 雑食動物(ざっしょくどうぶつ) (omnivore)
Related: 草食系(そうしょくけい) (herbivore type)
Related: 肉食系(にくしょくけい) (carnivore type)
general
Added 2026.3.27 0:23 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
19500/19749_soushokudoubutsu