Translation guide
The English word 'cow' most commonly refers to the adult female of cattle, but can also be used more broadly for the animal in general. In Japanese, the word 牛 (うし) covers cattle in general, while specific terms exist for female cows, dairy cows, and related concepts.
The learner wants to refer to a cow or cattle in a general sense, without specifying sex or purpose.
The most common and general word for 'cow' or 'cattle'. It can refer to a single cow or cattle in general. Context usually makes the meaning clear.
There are many cows on the farm.
Cows eat grass.
The learner wants to emphasize that the animal is an adult female, as opposed to a bull or calf.
Literally 'female cow'. Used when the sex matters, such as in farming contexts.
The learner is talking about cow meat as food.
The standard word for beef. Note that the animal itself is 牛, but the meat is 牛肉.
The learner wants to talk about milk, leather, etc., from cows.
The learner encounters 'cow' in an idiom or figurative expression.
牛 (うし) refers to the living animal. 牛肉 (ぎゅうにく) is the meat. Saying 牛を食べる sounds like you are eating a live cow; use 牛肉を食べる for eating beef.
Use the counter 頭 (とう) for large animals like cows: 一頭 (いっとう) = one cow, 二頭 (にとう) = two cows, etc.
This cow gives milk every day.
Specifically a dairy cow, raised for milk production.
Taking care of dairy cows is hard work.
Let's have beef steak tonight.
Loanword from English, often used in compound words or restaurant menus (e.g., ビーフシチュー).
I want to eat beef stew.
Cow's milk. The default word for milk in Japan is cow's milk, so 牛乳 is very common.
I drink milk every morning.
Cowhide or cow leather. Used in contexts like leather goods.
This bag is made of cowhide.
Literally 'a cow's pace', meaning very slow progress. Similar to 'at a snail's pace'.
His work progresses at a snail's pace.
To dominate or control (a group or organization). Derived from 'to take a cow by the ears', but now a set phrase.
He dominates the company.