死骸(しがい)

しがい
noun
carcass; corpse; dead body
1. carcass; corpse; dead body
The dead body of an animal or insect, viewed as a physical object. For humans, it is harsh and clinical; the neutral term is 遺体(いたい).
道(みち)に猫(ねこ)の死骸(しがい)があった。
There was a dead cat in the road.
虫(むし)の死骸(しがい)を掃(は)いて捨(す)てた。
I swept up the insect carcasses and threw them out.
海岸(かいがん)で打(う)ち上(あ)げられた鯨(くじら)の死骸(しがい)が発見(はっけん)された。
A whale carcass washed ashore was discovered on the beach.

Most often used for animals and insects. When applied to humans, it sounds cold or callous, the way "carcass" does in English.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 動物(どうぶつ)の死骸(しがい): animal carcass
  • 死骸(しがい)を処理(しょり)する: to dispose of a carcass
  • 死骸(しがい)を発見(はっけん)する: to discover a corpse

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 遺体(いたい): body (of a deceased person) — neutral and respectful
  • 死体(したい): corpse — more clinical; used in police and medical contexts for humans or animals
  • 亡骸(なきがら): mortal remains — literary and respectful, only for humans
general
Added 2026.5.30 12:08
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