Translation guide
In Japanese, the word for cattle is 牛 (ushi), which can refer to both cows and cattle in general. The term is used broadly, and context usually clarifies whether it means a single cow or cattle as a group. For livestock or farming contexts, specific terms like 肉牛 (nikugyuu, beef cattle) or 乳牛 (nyuugyuu, dairy cattle) are used.
Referring to cattle as animals, either singular or plural, in everyday conversation.
The most common word for cattle/cow. It can be used for one animal or the species in general. Plurality is often inferred from context.
あの牧場には牛がたくさんいます。
There are many cattle on that farm.
Cattle eat grass.
Specifically referring to cattle raised for beef production.
Literally 'meat cattle'. Used in agricultural or commercial contexts.
Beef cattle production is thriving in this region.
Japanese beef cattle breeds, famous for high-quality marbled beef like Kobe beef. Often used in culinary contexts.
Cattle kept for milk production.
Literally 'milk cattle'. Used in farming and dairy contexts.
This is milk from dairy cattle.
Emphasizing cattle as a group, often in ranching or farming.
Japanese nouns typically do not change form for plural. 牛 can mean 'cow' or 'cattle'. Use counters like 頭 (とう) for counting: 一頭 (いっとう, one head of cattle), 二頭 (にとう, two head).
牛 is a general term. For specific gender: 雄牛 (おうし, bull) and 雌牛 (めうし, cow). In everyday speech, 牛 often implies a cow, but context matters.
Wagyu is known as a high-grade beef.
The number of cattle has increased.