牛
Cow
うし (ushi)
JLPT N5
Interesting Fact
For much of Japan's history, eating beef was uncommon due to Buddhist influences and cultural traditions. When beef became popular during the Meiji Era, it was seen as a symbol of modernization and Western influence. Today, Japan is famous for some of the world's most prized beef, including Kobe and Matsusaka.
Memory Trick
Start with 午, the lunchtime bell mounted on a pole. Add a horn to the top, and the bell suddenly becomes the face of a cow. That's 牛, meaning cow.
Readings
Onyomi: ギュウ (gyuu)
Kunyomi: うし (ushi)
Example Words
牛
うし (ushi)
Cow
牛肉
ぎゅうにく (gyuuniku)
Beef
牛乳
ぎゅうにゅう (gyuunyuu)
Milk
子牛
こうし (koushi)
Calf
Example Sentence
牛乳を毎朝飲みます。
ぎゅうにゅう を まいあさ のみます。
gyuunyuu o maiasa nomimasu
I drink milk every morning.