Readings: ギュウ (Onyomi), うし (Kunyomi)
Meaning: Cow, ox, cattle
This kanji is a pictogram of an ox or cow, showing its head and horns.
View JLPT N4 Kanji ListHow to Write – Stroke Order
The kanji 牛 is written with 4 strokes. Start with the vertical stroke on the left, followed by the horizontal stroke connecting to it. Then, the vertical stroke on the right, and finally, the bottom horizontal stroke that connects both vertical lines.
Kanji Details
| Radical | 牛 |
|---|---|
| Strokes | 4 |
| JLPT Level | N4 |
| Grade | 2 |
Readings with English Transcription
Onyomi (Chinese readings)
- ギュウ (Gyuu)
Kunyomi (Japanese readings)
- うし (Ushi)
Common Words Using 牛
Onyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 牛肉 | ぎゅうにく | beef |
| 牛乳 | ぎゅうにゅう | milk |
| 牛丼 | ぎゅうどん | beef bowl |
| 和牛 | わぎゅう | wagyu beef |
| 水牛 | すいぎゅう | water buffalo |
| 牛革 | ぎゅうかわ | cowhide leather |
| 牧牛 | ぼくぎゅう | cattle grazing |
| 牛馬 | ぎゅうば | cattle and horses |
| 牛歩 | ぎゅうほ | snail’s pace (lit. ox’s pace) |
| 牛舎 | ぎゅうしゃ | cowshed |
Kunyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 牛 | うし | cow, ox |
| 子牛 | こうし | calf |
| 乳牛 | ちちうし | dairy cow |
| 肉牛 | にくうし | beef cattle |
| 闘牛 | とうぎゅう | bullfighting |
| 黄牛 | きうし | brown cow |
| 野牛 | やぎゅう | wild ox/buffalo |
| 牛小屋 | うしごや | cowshed |
| 牛飼い | うしかい | cowherd |
| 牛の角 | うしのつの | cow’s horn |
Example Sentences
Japanese: 牛は草を食べます。
Kana: うしはくさをたべます。
Romaji: Ushi wa kusa o tabemasu.
English: Cows eat grass.
Japanese: 牛肉は高いです。
Kana: ぎゅうにくはたかいです。
Romaji: Gyuuniku wa takai desu.
English: Beef is expensive.
Japanese: 毎日牛乳を飲みます。
Kana: まいにちぎゅうにゅうをのみます。
Romaji: Mainichi gyuunyuu o nomimasu.
English: I drink milk every day.
Japanese: 彼は牛丼が好きです。
Kana: かれはぎゅうどんがすきです。
Romaji: Kare wa gyuudon ga suki desu.
English: He likes beef bowls.
Japanese: 牧場で牛を見ました。
Kana: ぼくじょうでうしをみました。
Romaji: Bokujou de ushi o mimashita.
English: I saw cows at the ranch.
Japanese: この靴は牛革でできています。
Kana: このくつはぎゅうかわでできています。
Romaji: Kono kutsu wa gyuukawa de dekite imasu.
English: These shoes are made of cowhide.
Japanese: 子牛が可愛いです。
Kana: こうしがかわいいです。
Romaji: Koushi ga kawaii desu.
English: The calf is cute.
Japanese: 和牛はとても美味しいです。
Kana: わぎゅうはとてもおいしいです。
Romaji: Wagyuu wa totemo oishii desu.
English: Wagyu beef is very delicious.
Japanese: 朝食に牛乳を一杯飲みました。
Kana: ちょうしょくにぎゅうにゅうをいっぱいのみました。
Romaji: Choushoku ni gyuunyuu o ippai nomimashita.
English: I drank a glass of milk for breakfast.
Japanese: 彼女は牛の絵を描くのが得意です。
Kana: かのじょはうしのえをかくのがとくいです。
Romaji: Kanojo wa ushi no e o kaku no ga tokui desu.
English: She is good at drawing pictures of cows.
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