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.
牧場に牛がたくさんいる。
There are many cows on the farm.
牛は草を食べる。
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.
この雌牛は毎日ミルクを出す。
This cow gives milk every day.
Specifically a dairy cow, raised for milk production.
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.
今夜は牛肉のステーキを食べよう。
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).
ビーフシチューが食べたい。
I want to eat beef stew.
The learner wants to talk about milk, leather, etc., from cows.
The learner encounters 'cow' in an idiom or figurative expression.
Literally 'a cow's pace', meaning very slow progress. Similar to 'at a snail's pace'.
彼の仕事は牛の歩みだ。
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.
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.
乳牛の世話は大変だ。
Taking care of dairy cows is hard work.
This bag is made of cowhide.
He dominates the company.