Translation and Meaning of: 飼育 - shiiku

If you're learning Japanese or are curious about the language, you've likely come across the word 飼育[しいく]. This term appears in specific contexts and carries an interesting meaning, especially for those who love animals or are interested in related to care and breeding. In this article, we will explore what 飼育 means, its origin, how it is used in everyday Japanese, and some curiosities about its use in Japanese culture.

In addition to understanding the literal translation, it is important to know the scenarios in which this word is applied and how it differs from similar . If you want to memorize 飼育 efficiently or simply wish to expand your vocabulary in Japanese, keep reading to discover valuable details about this term.

Meaning and use of 飼育

飼育[しいく] is a noun that means "breeding" or "cultivation," generally applied to animals. Unlike simply "having a pet," this word implies a more systematic care, such as in farms, zoos, or even in scientific research. For example, 家畜の飼育 (breeding of livestock) is a common expression in the agricultural context.

The term can also be used in everyday situations, but with a more formal tone. If someone says 犬を飼育している (I am raising a dog), it may indicate that they are doing so in an organized manner, perhaps even professionally. It is less common to use it to simply describe having a pet at home, unless there is a specific context that justifies this vocabulary choice.

Origin and composition of kanjis

The word 飼育 is formed by two kanjis: 飼 (to raise, to feed) and 育 (to grow, to educate). The first character, 飼, appears in words like 飼料 (animal feed) and 飼い主 (pet owner). Meanwhile, 育 is widely used in such as 教育 (education) and 育児 (child-rearing). Together, they reinforce the idea of nurturing and helping something or someone to grow.

It is worth noting that 飼育 is not limited to just animals. In rarer contexts, it can be used metaphorically, as in 細菌の飼育 (cultivation of bacteria), showing its application in laboratories. However, this usage is less frequent and heavily depends on the field of action of the person using the term.

Tips for memorization and curiosities

An effective way to fix 飼育 in memory is to associate the kanjis that compose it with concrete situations. Think of 飼 as "to feed" and 育 as "to grow." Together, they form the concept of taking care of a living being until it fully develops. This logic can help understand not only this word but also others that share the same characters.

Interestingly, 飼育 is more common in technical texts or news about the environment than in informal conversations. If you watch Japanese documentaries about wildlife or agriculture, you will likely hear it often. In daily life, however, Japanese people tend to use verbs like 飼う (to raise an animal) or simpler expressions, unless the context requires a more precise term.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 養育 (Yōiku) - Raising and educating children or animals.
• 飼い慣らす (Kainarasu) - Taming or getting used to a pet.
• 飼い主として育てる (Kainushi to shite sodateru) - Creation as an owner, emphasizing the owner's responsibility.
• 飼い犬にする (Kai inu ni suru) - Transform a dog into a pet.
• 飼い猫にする (Kai neko ni suru) - Transforming a cat into a pet.
• 飼い馬にする (Kai uma ni suru) - To turn a horse into a domesticated animal, usually in a more rural context.
• 飼育する (Shiiku suru) - Practicing animal husbandry in general.
• 飼育すること (Shiiku suru koto) - The act of creating or caring for animals.
• 飼育する方法 (Shiiku suru hōhō) - Methods or techniques for creating animals.
• 飼育する場所 (Shiiku suru basho) - Appropriate places for raising animals.
• 飼育するための環境 (Shiiku suru tame no kankyō) - Necessary environment to properly raise animals.
• 飼育するための知識 (Shiiku suru tame no chishiki) - Necessary knowledge for animal creation.
• 飼育するための設備 (Shiiku suru tame no setsubi) - Facilities or equipment necessary for animal husbandry.
• 飼育するための費用 (Shiiku suru tame no hiyō) - Costs related to animal husbandry.
• 飼育するための時間 (Shiiku suru tame no jikan) - Time needed dedicated to animal creation.
• 飼育するための労力 (Shiiku suru tame no rōryoku) - Necessary effort for the creation of animals.