種(しゅ)

しゅ

noun

species; kind; type (biology)

1. species (in biology); kind; type

Biological species — the basic unit of taxonomy. Also used more loosely as a noun or counter for 'kind' or 'type', especially in technical writing.

新(あたら)しい種(しゅ)が発見(はっけん)された。

A new species has been discovered.

絶滅(ぜつめつ)危惧(きぐ)種(しゅ)を保護(ほご)する必要(ひつよう)がある。

We need to protect endangered species.

この森(もり)には数百(すうひゃく)種(しゅ)の植物(しょくぶつ)が生息(せいそく)している。

Several hundred species of plants live in this forest.

Reading しゅ refers primarily to the biological concept of species. The same kanji read たね means 'seed' and is a separate entry. As a counter, 種(しゅ) counts kinds or species (3種(しゅ)の植物(しょくぶつ) = three species/kinds of plants).

Compounds

絶滅(ぜつめつ)危惧(きぐ)種(しゅ): endangered species
外来(がいらい)種(しゅ): non-native/invasive species
在来(ざいらい)種(しゅ): native species
新種(しんしゅ): new species
人種(じんしゅ): race (of people)

Similar words

種類(しゅるい): kind, type — everyday word for varieties of anything
品種(ひんしゅ): variety, breed — for plants and animals (especially cultivated)
種(たね): seed — same kanji, different reading, separate entry

Related Words

Related: 種(たね) (seed (same kanji))

general

Added 2026.6.2 12:10 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02

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