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.
牛は草食動物だ。
Cows are herbivores.
草食動物は植物を食べて生きている。
Herbivores live by eating plants.
サバンナでは草食動物が肉食動物に狙われる。
On the savanna, herbivores are targeted by carnivores.
Compound of 草食 (herbivorous, plant-eating) and 動物 (animal). A standard biological term that has also taken on cultural significance in modern Japanese.
CULTURAL NOTE:
The term 草食系 (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 (carnivore type) for aggressive, assertive pursuers.
RELATED TERMS:
- 肉食動物 — carnivore; meat-eating animal
- 雑食動物 — omnivore
- 草食系 — herbivore type; passive person (slang)
- 肉食系 — carnivore type; aggressive person (slang)