猟師（りょうし、ryoushi）
- hunter

The Japanese word 猟師 (りょうし) means "hunter" or "trapper." It refers to a person whose profession is to hunt wild animals for food, fur, or sport. 猟師 typically use various tools and methods, such as guns, traps, and dogs, to catch animals. The role of a 猟師 can vary depending on the context, including legal hunting, wildlife management, and pest control.

⚫︎彼はベテランの猟師だ。 Translation: He is a veteran hunter. ⚫︎猟師は森で鹿を狩った。 Translation: The hunter hunted deer in the forest. ⚫︎彼女は子どもの頃から猟師に憧れていた。 Translation: She had dreamed of being a hunter since she was a child.

You can use 猟師 in conversations to describe someone whose job or hobby involves hunting. It is also used to refer to someone who practices the traditional craft of hunting. This word is suitable for discussions about the natural world, survival, or specific hunting activities.

猟師 is typically written using the kanji 猟 (ryō - hunt) and 師 (shi - master, expert, professional). The reading is りょうし (ryōshi) in hiragana. There are no other common ways to write this word. The okurigana is standard.

⚫︎狩人 (かりうど - kariudo) - hunter (general term) ⚫︎ハンター (hantā) - hunter (loanword from English) ⚫︎狩猟家 (しゅりょうか - shuryōka) - huntsman; a person who hunts

There aren't direct antonyms that are commonly used. However, words related to animal conservation or protection could be considered opposites in concept: ⚫︎自然保護活動家 (しぜんほごかつどうか - shizenhogo katsudōka) - conservationist ⚫︎動物愛護家 (どうぶつあいごか - dōbutsu aigoka) - animal lover/welfare advocate

その猟師は、地元の生態系を維持するために努力している。 ・Translation: That hunter is making efforts to maintain the local ecosystem. ・Explanation: This sentence highlights the 猟師's involvement in wildlife management, which can sometimes include conservation efforts.

父は若い頃、猟師として山で暮らしていた。 ・Translation: My father lived in the mountains as a hunter when he was young. ・Explanation: This sentence describes a hunter's past lifestyle and the traditional aspect of the profession.

The word 猟師 is composed of two kanji. 猟 (ryō) means "hunting" or "to hunt," and 師 (shi) signifies "master," "expert," or "professional." Therefore, 猟師 literally translates to "hunting master" or "hunting professional," reflecting the skilled nature of the profession.