Meaning
The kanji 獣 (けもの, けだもの, ジュウ) primarily means 'beast', 'animal', or 'brute'. It typically refers to non-human, often wild, four-legged creatures. However, it can also be used figuratively to describe someone or something with savage, uncivilized, or primal characteristics. The kanji itself evokes a sense of the wild and untamed.
Its origin is quite revealing. The left-hand radical, 犭 (けものへん, kemonohen), is a variant of 犬 (いぬ, dog). This radical directly indicates that the kanji pertains to animals and is a common component in kanji related to various creatures. The right-hand component is 壽 (ことぶき, longevity), which historically served as a phonetic element. While 壽 itself means 'longevity', its presence here contributes to the 'ジュウ' reading. In some older forms, it's more clearly related to 單 (たん), a phonetic component that sometimes implied 'single' or 'simple,' possibly hinting at a wild or untamed nature. The combination of the 'animal' radical and a component suggesting its sound and potentially its solitary, wild essence, aptly forms the meaning of a 'beast'.
Visually, the prominent animal radical on the left immediately ties the kanji to the animal kingdom. The complex right side contributes to its intricate structure, fitting for an N1 kanji. With a total of 16 strokes, it's a Jōyō Kanji, meaning it's part of the list of kanji designated for general use. Though not assigned a specific elementary school grade, it's typically learned in secondary school (equivalent to Grade 8 or higher in the US system), making it a key kanji for JLPT N1 learners.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The primary On'yomi reading for 獣 is ジュウ (jū). You'll find this reading extensively in compound words, often when referring to specific types of animals, professions related to animals, or abstract concepts of 'beastliness'.
- 野獣 (yajū) — wild beast. This term refers to animals living in the wild, often with connotations of fierceness or danger.
- 怪獣 (kaijū) — monster, strange beast. This is frequently used for fictional giant monsters, such as those found in Japanese cinema (e.g., Godzilla).
- 禽獣 (kinjū) — birds and beasts, animals. A more formal term for animals in general, often appearing in literature or scientific contexts.
- 肉食獣 (nikushokujū) — carnivorous beast. Refers to animals that primarily eat meat.
- 草食獣 (sōshokujū) — herbivorous beast. Refers to animals that primarily eat plants.
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
The main Kun'yomi readings for 獣 are けもの (kemono) and けだもの (kedamono). These readings are used when the kanji stands alone or is part of native Japanese words, often carrying a slightly different nuance from the On'yomi readings.
けもの (kemono) — beast, animal. This general native Japanese term often implies wildness or refers to a creature that is not domesticated. In some contexts, particularly folk tales, it can even carry a sense of mystery or divinity.
獣道 (kemonomichi) — animal trail, a path made by animals through undergrowth.
獣狩り (kemonogari) — hunting animals (often wild game).
獣の皮 (kemono no kawa) — animal hide or skin.
けだもの (kedamono) — beast, brute. While similar to けもの, けだもの often carries a stronger negative connotation. It can refer to a savage or brutal animal, and significantly, it's frequently used metaphorically to describe a human who acts in a cruel, immoral, or inhuman way, implying a lack of reason or empathy.
獣のような行為 (kedamono no you na kōi) — a beastly act, an act of brutality.
けだもの扱い (kedamono atsukai) — treating someone like an animal, dehumanizing treatment.
Common Words & Compounds
The kanji 獣 forms many useful and interesting compounds, enriching the Japanese lexicon, especially when discussing nature, biology, and human behavior. Here are some examples, categorized by their thematic usage:
General Animal & Nature Terms
- 獣医 (jūi) — veterinarian. A common and essential term for animal health professionals.
- 獣医学 (jūigaku) — veterinary medicine. The field of study dedicated to animal health.
- 獣脂 (jūshi) — animal fat, tallow. Often used in industrial or culinary contexts.
- 猛獣 (mōjū) — fierce beast, wild animal. This term emphasizes the dangerous nature of the creature.
- 害獣 (gaijū) — harmful animal, pest. Refers to animals that cause damage to crops, property, or pose a threat.
- 幻獣 (genjū) — mythical beast, legendary creature. Used for imaginary animals like dragons or unicorns.
Figurative & Behavioral Terms
- 獣性 (jūsei) — beastliness, brutishness. Refers to the primitive, often savage, aspects of nature, sometimes applied to human behavior.
- 獣心 (jūshin) — brutal heart, savage mind. Describes a person's cruel or inhuman disposition.
- 獣並み (kemono nami) — like an animal, on par with animals. Can describe primitive behavior or low status.
Literary & Archaic Terms
- 獣の国 (kemono no kuni) — animal kingdom, land of beasts. Often used in stories or descriptive contexts.
Example Sentences
森の中には多くの野生の獣が生息している。
Mori no naka ni wa ōku no yasei no kemono ga seisoku shiteiru.
Many wild beasts inhabit the forest.
子供たちは公園で獣医さんに会えるのを楽しみにしていた。
Kodomotachi wa kōen de jūisan ni aeru no o tanoshimi ni shiteita.
The children were looking forward to meeting the veterinarian at the park.
その男の残酷な行為はまさに獣のようだった。
Sono otoko no zankoku na kōi wa masa ni kedamono no yō datta.
The man's cruel act was truly beastly.
映画で描かれたその怪獣は巨大で恐ろしいものだった。
Eiga de egakareta sono kaijū wa kyodai de osoroshii mono datta.
The monster depicted in the movie was huge and terrifying.
彼は自分の内なる獣性と戦っていた。
Kare wa jibun no uchi naru jūsei to tatakatteita.
He was fighting his inner beastliness.
猟師たちは獣道をたどり、獲物を探した。
Ryōshitachi wa kemonomichi o tadori, emono o sagashita.
The hunters followed the animal trail, searching for prey.
あの森には猛獣が潜んでいるので、注意が必要だ。
Ano mori ni wa mōjū ga hisondeiru node, chūi ga hitsuyō da.
Fierce beasts lurk in that forest, so caution is necessary.
環境破壊により、多くの野生の獣が生息地を失っている
Kankyō hakai ni yori, ōku no yasei no jū ga seisokuchi o ushinatteiru.
Due to environmental destruction, many wild animals are losing their habitats.
彼は人間としての理性を失い、まるで獣と化したようだった。
Kare wa ningen to shite no risei o ushinai, marude kedamono to kashita yō datta.
He lost his human reason and became like a brute.
Memory Tip
To remember 獣, focus on its components. On the left, we have 犭 (けものへん), the 'animal' radical, which clearly indicates that this kanji is about animals. It's a simplified version of 犬 (dog). On the right, the component is 壽 (ことぶき), often simplified visually, which gives the On'yomi reading ジュウ. Imagine a wild, fierce "dog" (from the radical) that lives a long life (壽's meaning) in the wild, embodying the essence of a formidable "beast." The combination powerfully conveys the image of a creature of the wild, distinct from domesticated animals.