ヤギ

Counted with

• 匹ひきN3

  The general counter for small and medium animals — dogs, cats, fish, insects; large animals take 頭.

• 頭とうN3

  For large animals (horses, cattle, large dogs) and animals counted as livestock or specimens.

Word family· 7

• 山羊やぎ乳にゅう

  goat's milk; goat milk

• 山羊やぎ毛もう

  goat hair

• やぎひげ

  goatee

• シロイワヤギ

  mountain goat; Rocky Mountain goat

• ヤギミルク

  goat's milk; goat milk

Written forms

• ヤギUsage45%
  kana-only spelling

  Katakana spelling is the most common written form for this animal name.

• 山羊やぎUsage44%
  gikun (meaning-based reading) or jukujikun

  Kanji spelling is understood but less common; the reading やぎ is a jukujikun.

• やぎUsage11%
  gikun (meaning-based reading) or jukujikun

  Hiragana spelling is also common, especially in children's materials or casual writing.

• 野羊やぎ
  rarely-used kanji formgikun (meaning-based reading) or jukujikun

  Rarely used kanji form; not recommended for learners.

Etymology

The word やぎ is of native Japanese origin. The kanji 山羊 literally mean 'mountain sheep', reflecting the animal's habitat and resemblance to sheep.