noun, used as a prefix, noun, used as a suffix
Used as a prefix or suffix to indicate male sex, especially for animals. Often contrasted with 雌 (め, female).
See also: 雌 (め)
雄ライオンはたてがみが立派だ。
The male lion has a magnificent mane.
この犬は雄ですか、雌ですか。
Is this dog male or female?
noun, used as a prefix
Prefix used in words like 雄叫び (おたけび, war cry) or 雄姿 (ゆうし, heroic figure) to convey masculinity, bravery, or heroism. Not freely productive.
See also: 雄叫び
戦士は雄叫びをあげて突進した。
The warrior let out a war cry and charged.
noun, used as a prefix
larger (of two); greater (prefix)
Rare prefix indicating the larger or greater of a pair, as in 雄滝 (おだき, the larger of two waterfalls). Mostly found in fixed compounds.
See also: 雄滝
この地域には雄滝と雌滝と呼ばれる二つの滝がある。
In this area there are two waterfalls called the larger waterfall and the smaller waterfall.
noun
Archaic standalone noun meaning 'man' or 'husband'. Not used in modern Japanese outside of historical contexts.
古語では「お」は男性や夫を指した。
In classical Japanese, 'お' referred to a man or husband.
The reading お is native Japanese, with kanji 雄, 男, 夫, 牡 assigned based on meaning. The exact historical derivation is uncertain.