Meaning
The kanji 乳 (にゅう, ちち, ちぶさ) directly represents its core meanings: "milk" and "breast." Essentially, 乳 is a pictograph; its form visually represents its meaning. If you look closely, you can imagine the gentle curve of a mother's breast. The two small horizontal strokes at the top might depict nipples or even drops of milk emerging. This strong visual link makes the kanji easy to remember and understand.
Historically, its form has evolved from ancient oracle bone script and bronze inscriptions. Throughout this evolution, it has consistently maintained its visual association with lactation and the primary source of nourishment for infants. It symbolizes life, care, and sustenance, reflecting its crucial role in early development and biology. When you see 乳, consider the importance of milk in early life and the anatomical feature that produces it.
You'll encounter this JLPT N3 kanji frequently in everyday Japanese, especially when talking about food, health, and family. With just 8 strokes, it's quite simple to write once you understand its components and their sequence. The radical for 乳 is 乙 (otsu), which is the last component stroke. Understanding its origins and visual representation helps immensely with memorization and distinguishing it from similar-looking kanji. Its straightforward form and deep meaning make it an essential character for intermediate Japanese learners.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The On'yomi, or Chinese-derived readings, for 乳 is primarily ニュウ. This reading is primarily used in compound words, covering general concepts like milk, dairy products, infancy, or medical terms. It often appears in more formal or scientific contexts.
牛乳 (gyuunyuu) — This is one of the most common compounds you'll encounter, meaning "cow's milk." You'll hear it often at cafes, supermarkets, and in daily conversations about food and drinks.
乳製品 (nyuuseihin) — A general term for "dairy products," including items like cheese, yogurt, and butter. It's crucial for grocery shopping or discussing dietary preferences and allergies.
乳児 (nyuuji) — Means "infant" or "baby." This term is often used in medical or administrative contexts, specifically for very young children (usually under one year old) to distinguish them from older children.
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
The Kun'yomi, or native Japanese readings, of 乳 are ちち and ちぶさ. These readings are more intimate and direct, often referring to the physical breast or a mother's milk. They connect more closely to the kanji's pictographic origin.
乳 (chichi) — When read as ちち, the kanji directly means "breast" or "milk," especially mother's milk. While it can appear alone, it's frequently used in phrases about nurturing or in less formal discussions compared to 母乳.
乳を与える (chichi o ataeru) — to nurse or breastfeed (literally, "to give milk").
乳離れ (chichibanare) — the act of "weaning" a baby from mother's milk.
乳房 (chibusa) — While 乳 can generally mean "breast," 乳房 is the specific and most common term for "female breast." Note that while ちぶさ is a reading associated with 乳, it is almost exclusively used within this two-kanji compound. So, when you see 乳 alone, it's usually read ちち, but when combined with 房, the reading becomes ちぶさ.
乳房 (chibusa) — refers specifically to the "female breast."
乳房の検査 (chibusa no kensa) — breast examination, an important medical term.
Common Words & Compounds
This section covers some common words and compounds where you'll frequently see 乳. Learning these will greatly expand your vocabulary and help you understand how this versatile kanji is used in various contexts, from daily life to specialized fields.
Food & Dairy Products
牛乳 (gyuunyuu) — "Cow's milk." This is a staple beverage and ingredient found in homes and stores across Japan.
乳製品 (nyuuseihin) — A general term for "dairy products," including items like cheese, yogurt, and butter. It's important for grocery shopping or discussing dietary preferences.
豆乳 (tounyuu) — "Soy milk." A popular plant-based alternative to cow's milk, often found in lattes and various recipes.
脱脂乳 (dasshinyuu) — "Skim milk." Milk from which the fat has been largely or entirely removed, commonly chosen for dietary reasons.
粉乳 (funnyuu) — "Powdered milk." This form of milk is often used for infants, in baking, or as a convenient, shelf-stable option.
加工乳 (kakounyuu) — "Processed milk." Refers to milk that has undergone various treatments or had other ingredients added, differing from regular fresh milk.
Body & Medical Terms
母乳 (bonyuu) — "Mother's milk." Specifically refers to human breast milk, crucial for infant nutrition.
乳房 (chibusa) — "Breast," particularly the female breast. This is a common and direct term used in medical and everyday contexts.
乳児 (nyuuji) — "Infant" or "baby," generally referring to children under one year old who are typically reliant on milk for nourishment.
乳がん (nyuugan) — "Breast cancer." This is an important medical term, frequently discussed in public health and healthcare settings.
乳腺 (nyuusen) — "Mammary gland." The gland responsible for producing milk in mammals.
乳頭 (nyuutou) — "Nipple." The protuberance on the breast from which milk flows.
Other Uses
乳液 (nyuueki) — "Milky lotion." Often used in skincare routines, referring to a moisturizing product with a liquid, milky consistency.
乳白色 (nyuuhakushoku) — "Milky white." A descriptive term for a color that resembles the opaque white of milk.
Example Sentences
毎朝牛乳を飲みます。
Maiasa gyuunyuu o nomimasu.
I drink milk every morning.
赤ちゃんは母乳で育ちます。
Akachan wa bonyuu de sodachimasu.
Babies grow up on mother's milk.
この料理には乳製品が使われています。
Kono ryouri ni wa nyuuseihin ga tsukawareteimasu.
Dairy products are used in this dish.
彼女は豆乳ラテが好きです。
Kanojo wa tounyuu rate ga suki desu.
She likes soy milk lattes.
子猫たちはまだ母の乳を飲んでいます。
Konekotachi wa mada haha no chichi o nondeimasu.
The kittens are still drinking their mother's milk.
乳児用のミルクを購入しました。
Nyuujiyou no miruku o kounyuu shimashita.
I bought milk for infants.
皮膚が乾燥しているので、乳液が必要です。
Hifu ga kansou shiteiru node, nyuueki ga hitsuyou desu.
My skin is dry, so I need milky lotion.
乳房の健康チェックは定期的に行いましょう。
Chibusa no kenkou chekku wa teikiteki ni okonaimashou.
Let's do regular breast health checks.
乳白色の液体がボトルに入っていた。
Nyuuhakushoku no ekitai ga botoru ni haitteita.
A milky white liquid was in the bottle.
乳製品アレルギーの人のために、代替品が増えています。
Nyuuseihin arerugii no hito no tame ni, daitaihin ga fueteimasu.
Alternatives are increasing for people with dairy allergies.
Memory Tip
Here's a visual mnemonic to help you remember 乳! Imagine the kanji as a stylized depiction of a breast. The main, somewhat rounded shape at the bottom represents the body of the breast. The two small horizontal strokes at the top can represent nipples, or perhaps delicate drops of milk just about to emerge. Alternatively, you can picture a baby reaching up for nourishment. The two horizontal strokes are its tiny arms, and the lower, more substantial part of the kanji is the milk or breast it's reaching for. This character visually symbolizes the source of nourishment and life. Connecting the image to its core meanings of "milk" and "breast" makes it very intuitive. Just remember the visual, and the meaning will come naturally!