牧畜

• Reading: ぼくちく
• Romaji: bokuchiku
• Kanji breakdown: 牧 (boku) — pasture, tend livestock; 畜 (chiku) — domestic animal, raise animals
• Pronunciation: /bo.kɯ.tɕi.kɯ/

Meaning

Livestock farming; stock-farming; cattle breeding. The raising of animals for agricultural purposes.

A noun referring to the industry of raising livestock such as cattle, sheep, pigs, and horses. Related terms include 牧場 (bokujou, ranch/farm), 畜産 (chikusan, animal husbandry), and 牧畜業 (bokuchikugyou, livestock farming industry). Broader than 酪農 (rakunou, dairy farming), which specifically refers to dairy production.

Examples

1. 北海道は牧畜が盛んな地域として知られている。 Hokkaido is known as a region with thriving livestock farming.
2. 牧畜に従事する人の数は年々減少している。 The number of people working in livestock farming decreases every year.
3. その国の経済は牧畜と農業に大きく依存している。 That country's economy relies heavily on livestock farming and agriculture.

Usage Guide

Context: agriculture, industry, geography

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From Sino-Japanese: 牧 (boku, pasture/tend livestock) + 畜 (chiku, domestic animal/raise). Both kanji relate directly to the keeping and raising of animals.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal