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.
彼は牧夫として働いている。
He works as a herdsman.
Literary or slightly formal term for a herdsman or shepherd. Less common in everyday speech.
The herdsmen guided the flock of sheep.
Specifically a person who herds cattle.
Specifically a person who herds sheep.
A person who herds goats.
Standard word for a goatherd. Formed by combining 'goat' (山羊) and 'herder' (飼い).
The goatherd was driving the goats along the mountain path.
A person who herds horses, especially in a ranch or nomadic context.
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.
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.
An old goatherd lives in the mountains.
The young herdsman was watching the cattle while playing a flute.
Mongolian horse herders have a deep bond with their horses.