乳
Meanings
Refers to milk in general, including breast milk and animal milk. Common in compounds like 牛乳 (cow's milk).
It's time to give the baby milk.
This cheese is made from fresh milk.
Refers to the breast, especially in the context of nursing or anatomy. Can be used for both humans and animals.
The mother gave the baby her breast.
Milk is drawn from the cow's udder.
Only with reading ち
Rare reading ち used for a loop or ring, often in traditional or technical contexts.
This decorative knot is shaped like a loop.
decorative bump on a hanging bell
Only with reading ち
Rare reading ち used specifically for the raised decorative bumps on a bonshō (梵鐘, large hanging bell).
See also: 梵鐘
The bumps on a temple bell are said to also help adjust the sound.
Usage patterns
- 〈動物〉の乳を搾るto milk an animal
The farmer milks the cow every morning.
- 乳を出すto expose one's breast (e.g. to nurse)
She exposed her breast to nurse the baby.
- 乳を飲むto drink milk (esp. from the breast)
The kitten is drinking its mother's milk.
- 乳が張るfor the breasts to become engorged with milk
As feeding time approaches, her breasts become engorged with milk.
- 乳が出るfor milk to come/be produced
After giving birth, she started producing milk.