Japanese · Food & Drink

牛乳

gyuunyuu

Milk

Beginnernoun

Definition

Refers to cow's milk. Became widely consumed in Japan after World War II as part of school lunch programs.

Example

毎朝牛乳を一杯飲みます。

I drink a glass of milk every morning.

Etymology

The term 牛乳 (gyuunyuu) literally translates to 'cow's milk,' with 牛 meaning 'cow' and 乳 meaning 'milk.' It was incorporated into the Japanese lexicon during the Meiji period as Western dairy practices were introduced.

How & Where It’s Used

牛乳 (gyuunyuu) is used in formal and informal contexts, often found in shopping, cooking, and dietary discussions. It is commonly available in cities, with variations in consumption in rural areas.

Watch “Milk” pronunciation on YouTube
drinkdairybreakfast

Related Terms