動植物(どうしょくぶつ)

Compound formed by abbreviating 動物(どうぶつ) ('animal') and 植物(しょくぶつ) ('plant') and joining them under a single 物(ぶつ). 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(どうぶつ)と植物(しょくぶつ). Common in museum exhibits, field guides, environmental reports, and school science materials.

Common collocations

• 珍(めずら)しい動植物(どうしょくぶつ): rare plants and animals
• 固有(こゆう)の動植物(どうしょくぶつ): endemic flora and fauna
• 動植物(どうしょくぶつ)の保護(ほご): conservation of plants and animals
• 動植物(どうしょくぶつ)の生態(せいたい): the ecology of plants and animals
• 多様(たよう)な動植物(どうしょくぶつ): diverse flora and fauna
• 絶滅(ぜつめつ)の危機(きき)にある動植物(どうしょくぶつ): endangered plants and animals

Similar words

• 動物(どうぶつ): animal
• 植物(しょくぶつ): plant
• 生物(せいぶつ): living things; organisms — broader, includes microbes
• 野生(やせい)動物(どうぶつ): wildlife (animals only)
• 生態系(せいたいけい): ecosystem — the system in which 動植物(どうしょくぶつ) live