1.
female deer; doe; hind
A female deer. The counterpart of 雄鹿 (male deer, stag).
雌鹿が草を食べている。
A doe is eating grass.
雌鹿は角が生えない。
Female deer do not grow antlers.
雌鹿が子鹿を連れて川の近くを歩いていた。
A doe was walking near the river with her fawn.
Composed of 雌 (female) and 鹿 (deer). Also written as 牝鹿. The 鹿 becomes じか through rendaku (sequential voicing). Part of a common pair with 雄鹿 (male deer, stag).
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 雌鹿と子鹿 — a doe and her fawn
- 雄鹿と雌鹿 — stag and doe
RELATED WORDS:
- 雄鹿 — male deer, stag, buck
- 鹿 — deer (general)
- 子鹿 — fawn, young deer
CULTURAL NOTE:
In classical Japanese poetry (和歌), the 鹿 crying in autumn is a well-known seasonal image. The male deer's call for a mate is a symbol of longing and loneliness.