Translation guide
A herbivore is an animal that eats plants. In Japanese, the most common and general term is 草食動物 (そうしょくどうぶつ). There is also a specific term for herbivorous dinosaurs and a metaphorical use describing a certain type of man.
The speaker wants to refer to an animal that eats plants, in a biological or everyday context.
This is the standard, neutral term for 'herbivore'. It is used in biology, zoology, and everyday conversation.
ウサギは草食動物です。
Rabbits are herbivores.
草食動物は植物だけを食べます。
Herbivores eat only plants.
This is a shorter form, often used as a prefix or in compounds. It can mean 'herbivorous' or 'plant-eating'. It is not a standalone noun for 'herbivore' as commonly as 草食動物, but it appears in terms like 草食系 (herbivore-type men).
草食恐竜
herbivorous dinosaur
The speaker specifically wants to talk about plant-eating dinosaurs.
This is the specific term for a herbivorous dinosaur. It is commonly used in museums, books, and documentaries.
トリケラトプスは草食恐竜です。
Triceratops is a herbivorous dinosaur.
The speaker is referring to a man who is gentle, unassertive, and not actively pursuing romantic or sexual relationships, often in the context of Japanese social commentary.
Literally 'herbivore-type man'. This is a well-known sociological term in Japan describing men who are not aggressive in romance, prefer platonic relationships, and are often seen as gentle or shy. It is not a direct translation of 'herbivore' but a cultural metaphor.
最近の若い男性は草食系男子が多いと言われている。
It is said that there are many herbivore-type men among young men these days.
Short for 草食系男子. Can be used as a noun or adjective to describe the type.
彼は完全に草食系だね。
He's totally a herbivore type, isn't he?
草食動物 refers strictly to animals. Using it to describe a person would be confusing or humorous. Use 草食系男子 for the sociological concept.
The opposite of 草食動物 is 肉食動物 (にくしょくどうぶつ, carnivore). For the metaphorical men, the opposite is 肉食系男子 (にくしょくけいだんし, carnivore-type man).