猪（いのしし、inoshiし）
- wild boar

The Japanese word 猪 (いのしし, *inoshishi*) means "wild boar". It refers to a large, pig-like mammal found in Japan and other parts of Asia. These animals are known for their strong tusks, thick fur, and powerful build. They are often associated with courage and wildness in Japanese culture. They can be very destructive to crops. They are also hunted for meat. The term 猪 specifically refers to the animal itself.

⚫︎ あの山には猪が出没するらしい。 ・Translation: I heard wild boars appear in that mountain. ⚫︎ 猪肉の料理は美味しい。 ・Translation: Dishes made with wild boar meat are delicious. ⚫︎ 子供たちは猪の絵を描いた。 ・Translation: The children drew a picture of a wild boar.

This word is used to refer to wild boars in various contexts. ⚫︎ When describing the animal itself. ⚫︎ When talking about wild boar meat or dishes. ⚫︎ When discussing wild boar sightings or activity. ⚫︎ It is a common term used in nature-related conversations.

⚫︎ The kanji is 猪. ⚫︎ The hiragana reading is いのしし. ⚫︎ There is no common katakana version. ⚫︎ There are no variations in okurigana.

There are no direct synonyms for 猪. While "wild pig" could be used in some contexts as a general description, it is not a direct synonym.

There are no direct antonyms for 猪.

最近、畑に猪が出没して困っている。 ・Translation: Lately, we're having trouble with wild boars appearing in the fields. ・Explanation: This sentence describes a common problem in rural areas of Japan.

この猪はとても大きい。 ・Translation: This wild boar is very big. ・Explanation: This sentence directly describes the size of the animal.

The kanji 猪 combines the radical for "pig" (豕, *buta*) with the phonetic component meaning "to store". It's believed the kanji was chosen due to the animal's pig-like qualities, such as its resemblance to a [猪].