Translation guide
A person who tends, drives, or guards a herd of animals, especially cattle or sheep. In Japanese, the most common equivalent is 牧夫 (bokufu), but more specific terms exist depending on the animal and context.
A person who looks after a herd of livestock in a general sense.
General term for a herdsman, often used for someone who tends cattle or sheep. Neutral and widely understood.
He works as a herdsman.
Literary or slightly formal term for a herdsman or shepherd. Less common in everyday speech.
牧人たちは羊の群れを導いた。
The herdsmen guided the flock of sheep.
Specifically a person who herds cattle.
Common word for a cowherd or cattle herder. Used in everyday contexts.
牛飼いが牛を牧場に連れて行った。
The cowherd took the cattle to the pasture.
Refers to a shepherd boy or young herdsman, often used for a child who tends cattle or sheep. Can imply a pastoral, rustic image.
Specifically a person who herds sheep.
Standard word for a shepherd. Very common.
羊飼いは犬と一緒に羊の世話をしている。
The shepherd takes care of the sheep with his dog.
Technical or formal term for a shepherd, literally 'sheep-herding person'. Rare in conversation.
その地域では牧羊者が不足している。
There is a shortage of shepherds in that region.
A person who herds goats.
Standard word for a goatherd. Formed by combining 'goat' (山羊) and 'herder' (飼い).
山羊飼いが山道で山羊を追っていた。
The goatherd was driving the goats along the mountain path.
A person who herds horses, especially in a ranch or nomadic context.
General term for a horse herder or someone who raises horses. Can also mean a horse breeder.
馬飼いが馬を集めて柵に入れた。
The horse herder gathered the horses and put them in the corral.
Formal or technical term for a horse herder. Rarely used in daily speech.
モンゴルの牧馬者は馬と深い絆を持つ。
Mongolian horse herders have a deep bond with their horses.
牧夫 (bokufu) is a general term for a herdsman, while 羊飼い (hitsujikai) and 牛飼い (ushikai) are specific to sheep and cattle respectively. Use the specific term when the animal is known; otherwise 牧夫 is safe.
彼は牧夫だが、特に羊飼いとして有名だ。
He is a herdsman, but is especially famous as a shepherd.
In English, 'herdsman' can be used broadly, but in Japanese, it's more natural to specify the animal if known. Using 牧夫 for a goatherd might sound odd; use 山羊飼い instead.
山羊飼いの老人が山に住んでいる。
An old goatherd lives in the mountains.
The young herdsman was watching the cattle while playing a flute.