子牛・仔牛・小牛・犢|こうしkoushi

Common
こうじkouji[1]atamadaka (head-high)ok
Which spelling to use
子牛子牛(こうし) is the most common written form; beginners should use it, and it is written entirely in kanji.
仔牛仔牛(こうし) is less common than 子牛(こうし). It is another form written entirely in kanji, but 子牛(こうし) is the better choice for beginners.
小牛小牛(こうし) is rarely used. It is written entirely in kanji, but beginners should use the more common form 子牛(こうし) instead.
犢犢(こうし) is rarely used. It is written entirely in kanji, but beginners should use the more common form 子牛(こうし) instead.
Definitions
  1. nouncalf
    毎朝まいあさ、雌牛めうしは仔牛こうしに乳ちちをやる。↗
    Cows give their calves milk every morning.
  2. nounsmall cow
Synonyms & antonyms
  • SynonymカーフNeutralLoanword for a young calf; also commonly means calfskin, as in 「カーフスキン」.
  • Synonym子ウシNeutralSame meaning as 「子牛」, written with katakana 「ウシ」; mostly seen in biological texts and on zoo or animal-park signage.

Use 「子牛」 for a calf, as in 「子牛の肉」. 「子ウシ」 is the same word in katakana, seen in biology and zoo signage; 「カーフ」 is the loanword, often used for calfskin.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

Japanese definitions
  1. 牛うしの子供こども。小ちいさい牛うし。
Kanji in this word
English equivalents

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