Translation and Meaning of: 雌 - mesu

The Japanese word 「雌」 (mesu) refers to the female sex of an animal. Used in zoological and agricultural contexts, it differentiates female animals from males, which are referred to as 「雄」 (osu). The distinction between 「雌」 and 「雄」 is fundamental in various areas, such as reproduction and animal husbandry. Being one of the important words in the vocabulary related to biology, it allows for clear communication about the gender of animals.

Etymologically, 「雌」 is composed of a single kanji that carries the meaning of "female." The kanji includes the radical 女, which means "woman" or "feminine," and helps in understanding its use and meaning. This radical is often found in words related to the female gender, reinforcing the basic meaning of 「雌」. Another part of the kanji suggests softness or delicateness, characteristics traditionally associated with the feminine in historical Japanese culture.

The use of 「雌」 (mesu) in the Japanese language can be traced back to ancient agricultural and hunting practices, where it was crucial to distinguish between the sexes for effective management and reproduction of herds and in hunting communities. The differentiation between females and males was not only a matter of scientific knowledge but also of economic survival. Understanding these terms and their distinctions helps in cultural and linguistic comprehension, providing insight into how the Japanese language has categorized and interpreted the natural world throughout the ages.

Vocabulary

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Synonyms and similar words

• めす (mesu) - Female (general)
• めすら (mesura) - Female (more colloquial term)
• めすり (mesuri) - Female (of animals)
• めすがら (mesugara) - Female (referring to peace or delicacy)
• めすがね (mesugane) - Women's glasses (focusing on female products)
• めすがみ (mesugami) - Female goddess or sacred feminine figure
• めすがき (mesugaki) - Young female or girl

雌

Romaji: mesu
Kana: めす
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n1

Translation / Meaning: female (animal)

Meaning in English: female (animal)

Definition: Female. One of the genders. Biological sex.

Example Sentences - (雌) mesu

See below some example sentences:

雌は強い。

Mesu wa tsuyoi

The female is strong.

Feminine is strong.

• 雌 - It means "female" in Japanese.
• は - It is a Japanese grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence.
• 強い - It means "strong" in Japanese.