動物園

• Reading: どうぶつえん
• Romaji: doubutsuen
• Kanji breakdown: 動 (dō/ugo) — move; 物 (butsu/mono) — thing; 園 (en/sono) — garden, park
• Pronunciation: /doː.bɯ.tsɯ.eɴ/

Meaning

A zoo; a zoological garden. A facility where animals are kept for public viewing and education.

A three-kanji compound that breaks down clearly: 動物 (doubutsu, animal) + 園 (en, garden/park). Japan has many famous zoos, including 上野動物園 (Ueno Zoo) in Tokyo, which is one of the oldest in the country. Often a destination for school field trips and family outings.

Examples

1. 日曜日に家族で動物園に行きました。 On Sunday, I went to the zoo with my family.
2. 動物園でパンダを見ました。 I saw pandas at the zoo.
3. 子供たちは動物園が大好きです。 The kids love the zoo.

Usage Guide

Context: leisure, family outings, school trips

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 動物 (doubutsu, animal) and 園 (en, garden). A calque from Western languages, created during the Meiji period modernization.

Cultural Context

Era: Meiji period

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal