獣

• Reading: けもの
• Romaji: kemono
• Kanji breakdown: 獣 (kemono/juu) — beast, wild animal, brute
• Pronunciation: /ke.mo.no/

Meaning

Beast; wild animal; brute. A general term for four-legged wild mammals.

A noun referring to wild mammals, especially four-legged animals like bears, wolves, and deer. Carries a primal, untamed nuance — more evocative than 動物 (doubutsu, animal), which is neutral and includes all animals. Can also be used figuratively to describe someone who behaves savagely. In modern pop culture, けもの is widely recognised from anime and media. The kanji 獣 also appears in compounds like 野獣 (yajuu, wild beast) and 怪獣 (kaijuu, monster).

Examples

1. 森の奥から獣の鳴き声が聞こえた。 The cry of a wild beast could be heard from deep in the forest.
2. この山には野生の獣がたくさん住んでいる。 Many wild animals live in these mountains.
3. 夜になると獣が里に下りてくることがある。 Sometimes beasts come down into the village at night.

Usage Guide

Context: nature, wildlife, literature

Tone: evocative

Origin & History

From Old Japanese. The kanji 獣 combines 犬 (dog radical, indicating an animal) with phonetic elements. Originally referred to any four-legged animal hunted for food or fur.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal