Translation guide
A carnivore is an animal that eats meat. In Japanese, the most common word is 肉食動物 (nikushoku doubutsu), but there are also scientific terms and figurative expressions.
Referring to an animal whose diet consists mainly or entirely of meat, such as lions, tigers, or wolves.
The standard, everyday term for a carnivorous animal. Used in general conversation, education, and media.
ライオンは肉食動物です。
Lions are carnivores.
肉食動物は他の動物を食べます。
Carnivores eat other animals.
Literally 'meat-eating beast'. Often used for larger, predatory mammals. Slightly more literary or formal than 肉食動物.
トラは代表的な肉食獣だ。
Tigers are typical carnivores.
A less common synonym for 肉食動物. The character order is reversed, but the meaning is the same. Rarely used in modern Japanese.
食肉動物の生態を研究する。
To study the ecology of carnivores.
Referring to the mammalian order Carnivora, which includes dogs, cats, bears, seals, etc. Not all members are obligate meat-eaters.
The taxonomic order Carnivora. Used in biology and zoology contexts.
イヌやネコは食肉目に属する。
Dogs and cats belong to the order Carnivora.
An alternative name for Carnivora, literally 'cat order'. Sometimes used in popular science, but less formal than 食肉目.
クマはネコ目の動物です。
Bears are animals of the order Carnivora.
Describing a person who enjoys eating meat, often with a connotation of enthusiasm or preference. Can be used humorously or in dietary contexts.
Literally 'meat-eating type'. Originally a slang term for a person who actively pursues romantic or sexual relationships, but also used to describe someone who loves eating meat. Context-dependent.
This word is strongly associated with the personality type '肉食系女子/男子' (aggressive in love). When referring to diet, it's better to use a phrase like 肉好き.
彼は完全に肉食系で、野菜をあまり食べない。
He's totally a carnivore; he doesn't eat many vegetables.
Means 'meat lover'. A straightforward way to say someone likes eating meat, without the romantic connotations of 肉食系.
私は肉好きで、毎日肉料理を食べます。
I'm a carnivore; I eat meat dishes every day.
Referring to plants that trap and digest insects or other small animals.
The standard term for carnivorous plants. Literally 'insect-eating plant'.
ハエトリソウは食虫植物です。
Venus flytraps are carnivorous plants.
An alternative term for carnivorous plants, but less common than 食虫植物. May be understood but not the preferred term.
肉食植物の多くは湿地に生息する。
Many carnivorous plants inhabit wetlands.
肉食動物 is the general term for any carnivorous animal, including birds and fish. 肉食獣 specifically refers to carnivorous mammals, especially large predators. In everyday speech, 肉食動物 is sufficient.
ワシは肉食動物ですが、肉食獣ではありません。
Eagles are carnivores, but they are not carnivorous beasts.
Calling someone a 肉食動物 sounds like you are calling them an animal. Use 肉食系 or 肉好き instead when referring to a person's diet or personality.