猛獣

• Reading: もうじゅう
• Romaji: moujuu
• Kanji breakdown: 猛 (mou) — fierce, ferocious, violent; 獣 (juu) — beast, animal
• Pronunciation: /moː.dʑɯː/

Meaning

Fierce animal; beast of prey; dangerous wild animal. A large, aggressive animal capable of harming humans.

A noun referring to dangerous wild animals such as lions, tigers, bears, and wolves. Used in contexts involving zoos, wildlife, and safety warnings. Common in compounds like 猛獣使い (moujuutsukai, animal tamer) and expressions about wild animal encounters. Can be used figuratively to describe an extremely aggressive or intimidating person.

Examples

1. 動物園では猛獣を間近で見ることができる。 At the zoo, you can see wild beasts up close.
2. この山には猛獣が出没するので注意が必要だ。 You need to be careful because dangerous wild animals have been spotted on this mountain.
3. 猛獣が檻から逃げ出したというニュースに驚いた。 I was shocked by the news that a wild beast had escaped from its cage.

Usage Guide

Context: wildlife, zoos, safety warnings

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From Sino-Japanese: 猛 (mou, fierce/ferocious) + 獣 (juu, beast/animal). Literally 'fierce beast' — an animal dangerous to humans.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal