野性
Meanings
1
wildness; wild nature; untamed nature
Refers to the inherent wild, untamed quality of animals, nature, or sometimes human instincts. Often contrasted with 理性 (reason) or 飼いならされた状態 (domesticated state).
There is still wildness left in his eyes.
This forest retains its wild, untamed state.
Usage patterns
- 野性を発揮するto display one's wild instincts
Cornered, the dog let its wild instincts take over and fled.
- 野性が目覚めるfor one's wild nature to awaken
Once in the forest, he felt his wild nature awaken within him.
- 野性を失うto lose one's wild nature (through domestication)
Animals kept by humans for a long time can lose their wild nature.