1.
plants and animals; flora and fauna; wildlife
A collective term covering both animals (動物) and plants (植物). Used in discussions of biodiversity, ecosystems, nature conservation, and regional wildlife.
珍しい動植物。
Rare plants and animals.
この島には固有の動植物が多い。
This island has many endemic plants and animals.
気候変動は世界中の動植物に影響を与えている。
Climate change is affecting plants and animals around the world.
国立公園では、多様な動植物が保護されている。
Diverse plants and animals are protected in national parks.
Compound formed by abbreviating 動物 ('animal') and 植物 ('plant') and joining them under a single 物. The ordering (animals first, then plants) is fixed — the reverse order is not used.
USAGE:
A convenient umbrella term frequently used in scientific, educational, and conservation contexts where one wants to refer to living things in general without repeating 動物と植物. Common in museum exhibits, field guides, environmental reports, and school science materials.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 珍しい動植物: rare plants and animals
- 固有の動植物: endemic flora and fauna
- 動植物の保護: conservation of plants and animals
- 動植物の生態: the ecology of plants and animals
- 多様な動植物: diverse flora and fauna
- 絶滅の危機にある動植物: endangered plants and animals
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 動物: animal
- 植物: plant
- 生物: living things; organisms — broader, includes microbes
- 野生動物: wildlife (animals only)
- 生態系: ecosystem — the system in which 動植物 live