Onyomi: ギュウ · Kunyomi: うし · Meanings: cow
Kanji for cow
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The kanji 牛 originated from a pictograph of an ox’s head, with the horns clearly shown on top. In ancient times, oxen were powerful, dependable animals used for farming and transport. This character came to represent not only “cow” or “ox” but also strength, patience, and steady effort — qualities deeply respected in traditional life. 牛 reminds us of grounded power and persistence.
A drawing of an ox’s head with horns — 牛 means cow or ox, the symbol of strength, endurance, and calm power.
Picture a strong ox pulling a plow through the fields — that’s 牛, the kanji of hard work, patience, and quiet strength.
| Word | Reading | Meaning | Meta |
|---|---|---|---|
| 牛 | うし | cattle (Bos taurus), cow, bull, ox, calf | common JLPT-N3 Noun |
| 妓夫 | ぎゅう | pimp, brothel tout | Noun |
| 牛肉 | ぎゅうにく | beef | common JLPT-N5 Noun |
| 牛乳 | ぎゅうにゅう | (cow's) milk | common JLPT-N5 Noun |
| 互角 | ごかく | equal (in ability), even, evenly matched, well-matched, on par (with) | common Noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no', Na-adjective (keiyodoshi), Noun |
| 牛津 | オックスフォード | Oxford | common Noun |
| 牛車 | ぎゅうしゃ | ox carriage (for Heian-era nobles), oxcart | Noun |
| 牛後 | ぎゅうご | rump of a cow | Noun |
| 牛乳屋 | ぎゅうにゅうや | dairy, milkman | Noun |
| 牛丼 | ぎゅうどん | gyudon, rice covered with sliced beef, usu. with fried onion | common Noun |