Translation guide
The English word 'bull' primarily refers to a male bovine. In Japanese, the most common equivalent is 雄牛 (oushi). However, the word can also appear in idioms, financial contexts, and as a metaphor. This guide covers the main uses.
Referring to a male cow, especially in farming, nature, or general description.
The standard, neutral term for a bull. Used in both spoken and written Japanese.
あの牧場には大きな雄牛がいる。
There is a big bull on that farm.
雄牛は角が鋭い。
Bulls have sharp horns.
An alternative kanji spelling for 雄牛, using the character 牡 (male animal). Less common but still understood.
牡牛座は星座の一つです。
Taurus is one of the constellations.
Referring to a financial market where prices are rising or expected to rise.
The standard term for a bull market. 強気 means 'bullish' or 'optimistic', and 市場 means 'market'.
現在は強気市場が続いている。
A bull market is continuing now.
A direct loan from English, often used in financial news. Less common than 強気市場 but easily understood.
ブル市場では株価が上昇する。
In a bull market, stock prices rise.
Referring to the center of a target, especially in archery or darts.
Literally 'center of the target'. A clear, descriptive phrase.
矢が的の中心に当たった。
The arrow hit the bull's-eye.
A loanword from English, used in darts and sometimes in other contexts. Recognizable but less natural in general speech.
ダーツでブルズアイを狙う。
Aim for the bull's-eye in darts.
Referring to something untrue or exaggerated, similar to 'bullshit' but milder.
Means 'nonsense' or 'rubbish'. A common, slightly informal word for something false or absurd.
彼の言うことはでたらめだ。
What he says is bull.
Means 'tall tale' or 'boastful lie'. Often used in the phrase ほらを吹く (to talk bull).
彼はまたほらを吹いている。
He's talking bull again.
Referring to a formal decree issued by the Pope.
The standard term for a papal bull. 教皇 means 'Pope', 勅書 means 'imperial rescript' or 'edict'.
その教皇勅書は中世に発行された。
That papal bull was issued in the Middle Ages.
Describing someone who is clumsy or reckless in a delicate situation.
A Japanese idiom meaning 'a crane in a garbage dump', used for something elegant in a rough setting. Not a direct translation but conveys a similar contrast. Use with caution.
This idiom is not a direct equivalent and is rarely used. It may not be understood by all speakers.
彼の行動は掃き溜めに鶴のようだった。
He was like a bull in a china shop.
Since there is no exact Japanese idiom, it's often better to describe the behavior: 無神経に振る舞う (behave insensitively) or 乱暴に扱う (handle roughly).
彼は無神経に振る舞って、繊細な状況を台無しにした。
He acted like a bull in a china shop and ruined the delicate situation.
The English idiom 'like a bull in a china shop' has no direct Japanese equivalent. Using a literal translation like 陶器店の中の雄牛 would be confusing. Instead, describe the behavior or use a different Japanese idiom if appropriate.
Both 雄牛 and 牡牛 are read as おうし and mean 'bull'. 雄牛 is more common in modern Japanese, while 牡牛 appears in classical or astrological contexts (e.g., Taurus).