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)
The bull has a large body.
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
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
Archaic standalone noun meaning 'man' or 'husband'. Not used in modern Japanese outside of historical contexts.
I compared the male and female flowers.
The warrior let out a war cry and charged.
In this area there are two waterfalls called the larger waterfall and the smaller waterfall.
In classical Japanese, 'お' referred to a man or husband.
Female counterpart; used as a prefix/suffix for female animals and in compounds like 雌花 (めばな, female flower).
Common word for 'man' or 'male'. Unlike 雄, it is a standalone noun and not a prefix/suffix.
Most common kanji for the prefix/suffix meaning 'male' or 'manly'.
Also used for 'male' in some compounds, but less common than 雄.
Rarely used for 'male' or 'husband' in archaic contexts.
Specifically for male animals; common in compounds like 牡牛 (おうし, bull).
The reading お is native Japanese, with kanji 雄, 男, 夫, 牡 assigned based on meaning. The exact historical derivation is uncertain.
male monkey
Omachi rice
large bamboo varieties
drone bee
boar; male pig
male screw; external thread