雌鹿(めじか)

Composed of 雌(め) (female) and 鹿(しか) (deer). Also written as 牝鹿(めじか). The 鹿(しか) becomes じか through rendaku (sequential voicing). Part of a common pair with 雄鹿(おじか) (male deer, stag).

Common collocations

• 雌鹿(めじか)と子鹿(こじか) — a doe and her fawn
• 雄鹿(おじか)と雌鹿(めじか) — stag and doe

Related words

• 雄鹿(おじか) — male deer, stag, buck
• 鹿(しか) — deer (general)
• 子鹿(こじか) — fawn, young deer

Cultural note

In classical Japanese poetry (和歌(わか)), the 鹿(しか) crying in autumn is a well-known seasonal image. The male deer's call for a mate is a symbol of longing and loneliness.