1.
male and female; sex (of animals or plants)
The distinction between male and female, especially in animals, birds, insects, or plants.
この鳥の雄雌を見分ける。
I can tell the sex of this bird.
ヒヨコの雄雌を判別するのは難しい。
It is difficult to determine the sex of chicks.
花の雄雌は雄蕊と雌蕊の有無で判断できる。
The sex of a flower can be determined by the presence of stamens and pistils.
2.
victory and defeat; superiority and inferiority
Figuratively, the determination of which is stronger or better. Used in the expression to settle a contest.
雄雌を決する。
To settle the contest; to determine the winner.
両者は最後の試合で雄雌を決した。
The two sides settled the contest in the final match.
どちらが優れているか、雄雌を争う展開になった。
It developed into a contest to determine which was superior.
Composed of 雄 (male) + 雌 (female). The reversed form 雌雄 is more common and carries the same meanings, especially in the set expression 雌雄を決する.
USAGE:
- Sense 1 is scientific or observational — used when discussing the sex of animals, plants, or organisms
- Sense 2 is literary and dramatic — used for decisive contests and battles
- The variant 雌雄 is the more standard form, but 雄雌 also appears
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 雄雌を決する: to settle a contest
- 雄雌を見分ける: to distinguish male from female
- 雄雌を争う: to compete for supremacy
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 雌雄: male and female — the more common reversed form, especially in 雌雄を決する
- 雄: male (animal) — individual male
- 雌: female (animal) — individual female