牛乳

• Reading: ぎゅうにゅう
• Romaji: gyuunyuu
• Kanji breakdown: 牛 (gyuu/ushi) — cow, cattle; 乳 (nyuu/chichi) — milk, breast
• Pronunciation: /ɡʲɯː.ɲɯː/

Meaning

Cow's milk. The standard word for milk as a beverage.

The formal word for milk, commonly seen on cartons and in written contexts. In casual speech, ミルク (miruku) is also used, especially for milk in coffee or tea. School lunch in Japan almost always includes a small carton of 牛乳. The word 牛 means 'cow' and 乳 means 'milk/breast.'

Examples

1. 毎朝牛乳を飲みます。 I drink milk every morning.
2. 牛乳をもう一本買ってきて。 Could you buy one more carton of milk?
3. この牛乳は明日までです。 This milk expires tomorrow.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, shopping, school

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 牛 (gyuu, 'cow/cattle') and 乳 (nyuu, 'milk/breast'). A straightforward descriptive compound meaning 'cow milk.' Milk consumption became widespread in Japan during the Meiji era.

Cultural Context

Era: Meiji era

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal