Explanation at your level:
Hi there! Today we're learning the word 群れ (mure). It's a Japanese word for when many animals are together. Imagine lots of birds flying in the sky – that's a 群れ! Or maybe a lot of sheep in a field. When animals are in a big group, we call it a 群れ. It’s like saying 'flock' or 'herd' in English. So, if you see many cows together, you can think, 'Ah, that's a 群れ of cows!' It's a simple word for a simple idea: animals together!
The Japanese word 群れ (mure) is used to talk about groups of animals. Think of it as the equivalent of 'flock,' 'herd,' 'pack,' or 'school' in English. For example, you might see a 群れ of birds flying south for the winter, or a 群れ of fish swimming in the sea. It describes animals that are gathered together, often moving or acting as one.
You'll often hear it used with the animal's name, like 'tori no mure' (a flock of birds) or 'inu no mure' (a pack of dogs). This word helps us describe the social behavior of animals in a clear and concise way. It's a common word you'll encounter when reading about nature or animals in Japanese.
群れ (mure) is a fundamental Japanese noun for describing a collective of animals. It encompasses various English terms like 'flock,' 'herd,' 'pack,' and 'school,' depending on the type of animal. For instance, a group of birds is a 'tori no mure' (鳥の群れ), while a group of wolves would be an 'ōkami no mure' (狼の群れ).
The word emphasizes the visual of animals gathered together, often implying movement or shared activity. You might hear sentences like 「鹿の群れが草を食べていた」(Shika no mure ga kusa o tabete ita) - 'A herd of deer was eating grass.' Understanding '群れ' allows you to paint a more vivid picture when discussing wildlife or animal behavior in Japanese.
In Japanese, 群れ (mure) serves as a versatile collective noun for animals, translating to 'flock,' 'herd,' 'pack,' or 'school' in English. Its usage extends beyond simple identification to imply social dynamics or coordinated movement. For example, describing a 'school of fish' as 「魚の群れ」(sakana no mure) highlights their synchronized swimming, while a 'pack of wolves' 「狼の群れ」(ōkami no mure) suggests a cooperative hunting unit.
The phrase 「群れをなす」(mure o nasu) means 'to form a group,' often used to describe the natural behavior of animals congregating. Conversely, 「群れからはぐれる」(mure kara hagureru) signifies an animal becoming separated from its group, which can have significant implications for its survival. Recognizing these nuances allows for a deeper comprehension of animal behavior described in Japanese.
The Japanese noun 群れ (mure) is a core term for collective animal groups, encompassing English equivalents such as 'flock,' 'herd,' 'pack,' and 'school.' Its application is nuanced, often reflecting the specific social structure or migratory patterns of the species. For instance, the term might be employed in scientific contexts to discuss herd dynamics, such as in 「バイソンの群れの移動パターン」(baison no mure no idō patān) – 'the migration patterns of bison herds.'
Beyond literal descriptions, '群れ' can appear in more figurative or analytical contexts. The concept of 'group behavior' is central, and understanding the collective actions implied by '群れ' is key. Expressions like 「群集心理」(gunshū shinri – crowd psychology) share conceptual roots, highlighting the human tendency to analyze group phenomena, which can be mirrored in the study of animal '群れ'.
群れ (mure), the Japanese collective noun for animals, possesses a rich semantic depth that resonates with ecological and ethological studies. While its primary function is to denote a gathering of animals – be it a 'flock,' 'herd,' 'pack,' or 'school' – its usage can subtly imply specific behavioral patterns, such as coordinated movement (e.g., 「渡り鳥の巨大な群れ」- wataridori no kyodai na mure, 'a massive flock of migratory birds') or social hierarchy within a pack (e.g., 「オオカミの群れのリーダーシップ」- ōkami no mure no rīdāshippu, 'leadership within a wolf pack').
Historically, the kanji itself (群) offers etymological insights, potentially linking to ancient agrarian societies and the management of livestock. In literature and poetry, '群れ' can evoke powerful imagery, symbolizing unity, instinct, or even the vulnerability of individuals separated from the collective. Advanced learners might explore its use in contrast to solitary animals or in discussions of ecological balance, where the presence or absence of '群れ' plays a critical role.
Palabra en 30 segundos
- A collective noun for groups of animals.
- Translates to flock, herd, pack, school, swarm.
- Used primarily for animals, not people.
- Commonly used with animal names like '鳥の群れ' (flock of birds).
Hey there! Let's dive into the word 群れ (mure). It's a super useful Japanese noun that describes a bunch of animals hanging out together. Think of it like the word 'flock,' 'herd,' or 'group' in English, but specifically for animals. It captures that image of many creatures moving or resting as one unit, which is pretty cool, right?
So, whether you're talking about a 群れ of birds soaring through the sky, a 群れ of sheep grazing in a field, or even a 群れ of fish darting through the ocean, '群れ' is the word you'll use. It's all about that sense of collective presence in the animal kingdom. It’s a simple word, but it paints a vivid picture!
The word 群れ (mure) has deep roots in the Japanese language. Its kanji characters, 群 and れ, tell a story. The kanji 群 itself means 'group,' 'crowd,' or 'flock,' and it's used in many words related to collections of things or people. The 'れ' part often acts as a suffix, sometimes indicating a collective or a state of being.
Historically, observing animal behavior was crucial for survival, so descriptive words for animal gatherings naturally developed. The concept of a 'group' or 'flock' is fundamental across many cultures, and Japanese is no exception. You can see similar concepts in words like 'kōgun' (公群), which historically referred to a public herd or flock.
Interestingly, the kanji for 'group' (群) itself is composed of 'eight' (八) and 'cow' (牛), suggesting an ancient image of many cows gathered together. This etymological hint really helps solidify the meaning of '群れ' as a collection of animals!
Using 群れ (mure) is pretty straightforward, but it's always good to know how it fits into sentences. You'll often see it paired with counters or specific verbs that describe animal actions. For instance, you might say 「鳥の群れ」(tori no mure) for 'a flock of birds' or 「狼の群れ」(ōkami no mure) for 'a pack of wolves'.
The particle 'の' (no) is commonly used to link the type of animal to the word '群れ', showing possession or association. You can also use it directly, like 「群れで行動する」(mure de kōdō suru), meaning 'to act as a group'. Remember, '群れ' is primarily for animals; for humans, you'd use words like 'hitori' (一人) or 'hitobito' (人々) for individuals or groups.
When talking about animals, '群れ' is the go-to word. It's neutral in formality, making it suitable for both casual conversations and more descriptive writing. Just picture the animals together, and you've got the right idea for using '群れ'!
While 群れ (mure) itself is quite literal, the concept of 'group' or 'flock' appears in some interesting expressions. One common idea is the 'sheep' metaphor, often used to describe people who follow others without thinking.
1. 羊の群れ (hitsuji no mure)
Meaning: A flock of sheep. This is often used metaphorically to describe people who blindly follow a leader or popular opinion, lacking individuality. It can sometimes carry a slightly negative connotation of being easily led.
Example: 彼はただの羊の群れにすぎない。(Kare wa tada no hitsuji no mure ni suginai.) - He is nothing more than a sheep in a flock.
2. 群れをなす (mure o nasu)
Meaning: To form a group or flock. This is a very common phrase used to describe animals gathering together.
Example: 魚が群れをなして泳いでいた。(Sakana ga mure o nashite oyoide ita.) - The fish were swimming, forming a school.
3. 群れからはぐれる (mure kara hagureru)
Meaning: To stray from the flock/group. This idiom describes an animal (or sometimes a person) becoming separated from its group.
Example: 子鹿が群れからはぐれてしまった。(Kojika ga mure kara hagurete shimatta.) - The fawn strayed from the herd.
Let's break down the pronunciation and grammar of 群れ (mure). The word is pronounced 'moo-reh'. The 'mu' sound is like the 'moo' in 'moo-cow', and 're' is like the 're' in 'red'. It's a two-syllable word with a relatively simple sound.
Grammatically, '群れ' is a noun. It's typically used as a countable noun when referring to a specific group of animals. For example, you can have 'one flock' (一匹の群れ - ippiki no mure, though '匹' is often omitted or a different counter is used depending on the animal), or 'two flocks' (二つの群れ - futatsu no mure). However, it's often used more generally to describe the concept of a group.
Articles like 'a' or 'the' don't exist in Japanese in the same way they do in English. Instead, context and particles like 'wa' (は) and 'ga' (が) indicate the topic or subject. You might hear 「群れが来た」(mure ga kita - A group came) or 「その群れは大きい」(sono mure wa ōkii - That group is large).
IPA Pronunciation:
British English: /mʊ.ɾe/
American English: /mʊ.ɾe/
Rhyming words: While direct rhymes are less common due to the specific sounds, words ending in '-ure' or similar vowel sounds might be considered near rhymes in some contexts, though this is less relevant for Japanese.
Fun Fact
The kanji for 'group' (群) is composed of 'eight' (八) and 'cow' (牛), visually representing a large number of cows.
Pronunciation Guide
Sounds like 'moo' (as in cow) followed by 'reh' (as in red, but with a softer 'r' sound).
Similar to British pronunciation, with a 'moo' sound and a 'reh' sound, the 'r' being a flap sound similar to the 'dd' in 'ladder'.
Common Errors
- Pronouncing 'mu' too sharply.
- Making the 're' sound too hard, like in English 'ray'.
- Adding an extra syllable or vowel sound.
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Common word, easily recognizable in text.
Straightforward to use in basic sentences.
Easy to pronounce and use in conversation.
Frequently heard in contexts related to animals.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Avanzado
Grammar to Know
Using の particle for possession/association
犬<strong>の群れ</strong> (inu <strong>no mure</strong>) - pack of dogs
Using で particle for manner/means
<strong>群れで</strong>行動する (<strong>mure de</strong> kōdō suru) - to act as a group
Verb conjugation (Te-form for ongoing actions)
魚が群れをなして泳い<strong>で</strong>いた (Sakana ga mure o nashite oyo<strong>ide</strong> ita) - The fish were swimming, forming a school.
Examples by Level
鳥の群れがいます。
bird 's flock is exist.
'の' connects 'bird' and 'flock'.
魚の群れを見ました。
fish 's group saw.
'を' is the direct object particle.
羊の群れが歩いています。
sheep 's herd walking is.
'が' marks the subject of the verb.
これは大きな群れです。
this big group is.
'です' is the polite copula.
犬の群れが走っています。
dog 's pack running is.
'て' form of verb for ongoing action.
空に群れがあります。
sky in group exists.
'に' indicates location.
群れはどこへ行きますか？
group where go?
'か' makes it a question.
小さな群れです。
small group is.
Adjective modifies the noun.
公園でアヒルの群れを見た。
park in duck 's flock saw.
Past tense of '見る' (miru - to see).
象の群れがゆっくりと歩いていた。
elephant 's herd slowly walking was.
Adverb 'ゆっくりと' (yukkuri to - slowly).
海でたくさんの魚の群れがいた。
sea in many fish 's school existed.
'たくさん' (takusan - many).
狼の群れは夜に狩りをする。
wolf 's pack night in hunt does.
Present tense for habitual action.
その群れはとても騒がしかった。
that group very noisy was.
'〜しかった' (shikatta) for past state.
私たちは鳥の群れを観察した。
we bird 's flock observed.
'観察する' (kansatsu suru - to observe).
群れから離れた一羽の鳥がいた。
group from separated one bird existed.
'〜から離れた' (kara hanareta - separated from).
馬の群れが草原を走っていた。
horse 's herd grassland ran was.
'〜を走る' (o hashiru - to run across/through).
その地域には野生の馬の群れが生息している。
that region in wild horse 's herd inhabit is.
'生息している' (seisoku shite iru - to inhabit, to live).
イルカの群れが船の周りを泳いでいた。
dolphin 's school boat 's around swam was.
'〜の周りを泳ぐ' (no mawari o oyogu - to swim around).
保護された動物の群れが安全な場所に移動した。
protected animal 's group safe place moved.
'保護された' (hogo sareta - protected).
群れで行動することで、捕食者から身を守ることができる。
group in act by, predator from body protect can do.
'〜することで' (suru koto de - by doing ~).
その昆虫の群れは、特定の季節にのみ現れる。
that insect 's swarm specific season in only appears.
'〜にのみ現れる' (ni nomi arawareru - to appear only in ~).
群れを離れた子ライオンは、生き残るのが難しい。
group from left child lion, survive is difficult.
'〜は難しい' (~ wa muzukashii - it is difficult to ~).
漁師たちは魚の大きな群れを見つけた。
fishermen fish 's big school found.
'見つける' (mitsukeru - to find).
群れのリーダーは、常に群れを導く責任がある。
group 's leader, always group lead responsibility has.
'〜責任がある' (~ sekinin ga aru - to have a responsibility).
その鳥の群れは、地球上で最も壮観な自然現象の一つと見なされている。
that bird 's flock, Earth on most spectacular nature phenomenon one considered is.
'〜と見なされている' (~ to minasarete iru - is considered as ~).
群れを形成する動物の多くは、捕食者に対する防御力を高めるためにそうする。
group form animal 's many, predator against defense power increase for do so.
'〜ために' (~ tame ni - in order to ~).
絶滅危惧種の動物の群れを保護するための国際的な取り組みが進められている。
endangered species animal 's group protect for international effort is being promoted.
'絶滅危惧種' (zetsumetsu kigushu - endangered species).
群れからはぐれた個体は、しばしば過酷な環境に直面する。
group from strayed individual, often harsh environment face.
'個体' (kotai - individual organism).
研究者たちは、クジラの群れがどのようにコミュニケーションをとるのかを解明しようとしている。
researchers whale 's group how communicate is elucidate trying.
'解明しようとしている' (kaimei shiyō to shite iru - are trying to elucidate/figure out).
その地域の生態系は、草食動物の群れの存在に大きく依存している。
that region 's ecosystem, herbivore 's group existence on greatly depends.
'生態系' (seitaikei - ecosystem).
群れの中での社会的順位は、資源へのアクセスに影響を与えることがある。
group within social hierarchy, resources to access affect sometimes.
'社会的順位' (shakaiteki jun'i - social hierarchy).
迷子の子供が、まるで群れからはぐれた子羊のように見えた。
lost child, just like group from strayed young sheep seemed.
'〜のように見えた' (~ no yō ni mieta - seemed like ~).
鳥の群れ、いわゆる「鳥のむれ」は、その複雑な飛行パターンで知られており、集団的知性の驚くべき例を提供している。
bird 's flock, so-called 'bird 's group', its complex flight pattern with known, collective intelligence surprising example provides.
'いわゆる' (iwayuru - so-called), '集団的知性' (shūdanteki chisei - collective intelligence).
群れを形成する行動は、個体の生存率を高めるだけでなく、繁殖の成功にも寄与する。
group form behavior, individual 's survival rate increase not only, reproduction success also contributes.
'繁殖の成功' (hanshoku no seikō - reproductive success), '寄与する' (kiyo suru - to contribute).
一部の海洋哺乳類の群れでは、高度に組織化された協力狩猟戦略が観察されており、これは進化心理学における興味深い研究対象となっている。
some marine mammal 's group in, highly organized cooperative hunting strategy observed is, this evolutional psychology in interesting research subject has become.
'進化心理学' (shinka shinrigaku - evolutionary psychology), '研究対象' (kenkyū taishō - research subject).
群れからはぐれた個体が経験するストレスレベルは、その後の社会適応に長期的な影響を及ぼす可能性がある。
group from strayed individual experience stress level, subsequent social adaptation on long-term impact exert potentially.
'長期的な影響を及ぼす' (chōkiteki na eikyō o oyobosu - to exert a long-term influence).
アリのコロニーにおける個々のアリの行動は、群れ全体の効率的な機能に不可欠な要素である。
ant 's colony in individual ant 's behavior, group entire 's efficient function to essential element is.
'コロニー' (koronī - colony), '不可欠な要素' (fukaketsu na yōso - indispensable element).
群れにおける情報伝達のメカニズムを解明することは、複雑な社会システムの理解に繋がる。
group in information transmission 's mechanism elucidate is, complex social system 's understanding leads to.
'情報伝達のメカニズム' (jōhō dentatsu no mekanizumu - mechanism of information transmission).
人間社会における「群集心理」は、動物の群れに見られる行動様式と類似点を持つことがある。
human society in 'crowd psychology', animal 's group seen behavior pattern with similarities has sometimes.
'類似点を持つ' (ruijiten o motsu - to have similarities).
絶滅の危機に瀕した種を救うためには、その群れの遺伝的多様性を維持することが極めて重要である。
extinction 's danger facing species save for, its group 's genetic diversity maintain is extremely important.
'遺伝的多様性' (identeki tayōsei - genetic diversity), '極めて重要である' (kiwamete jūyō de aru - is extremely important).
動物の群れにおける同調行動（synchrony）は、個体間の相互作用と環境シグナルへの応答の複雑な相互作用の結果として生じる。
animal 's group in synchronized behavior, individual between interaction and environmental signals to response 's complex interaction result as arises.
'同調行動' (dōchō kōdō - synchronized behavior), '相互作用' (sōgo sayō - interaction).
群れを離れた個体が経験する社会的剥奪（social deprivation）は、神経生物学的な変化を引き起こし、長期的な行動異常につながる可能性がある。
group from strayed individual experience social deprivation, neurobiological changes causes, long-term behavioral abnormalities leads potentially.
'社会的剥奪' (shakaiteki hakudatsu - social deprivation), '神経生物学的' (shinkeiseibutsugaku teki - neurobiological).
群れ形成の進化における「自己組織化臨界」（Self-Organized Criticality）の概念は、予測不可能な集団的挙動の出現を説明する上で示唆に富む。
group formation 's evolution in 'Self-Organized Criticality' 's concept, unpredictable collective behavior 's emergence explain in rich in suggestion.
'自己組織化臨界' (jiko soshiki ka kairin - Self-Organized Criticality), '示唆に富む' (shisa ni tomu - to be rich in suggestion).
群れ内コミュニケーションにおけるフェロモン（pheromones）の役割は、特に昆虫や哺乳類において、集団行動の調整に不可欠である。
group within communication in pheromones 's role, especially insects and mammals in, collective behavior 's coordination to essential is.
'フェロモン' (feromon - pheromones), '集団行動の調整' (shūdan kōdō no chōsei - coordination of collective behavior).
群れからはぐれた個体の生存戦略は、その種が置かれている生態的ニッチ（ecological niche）によって大きく左右される。
group from strayed individual 's survival strategy, that species occupies ecological niche by greatly influenced.
'生態的ニッチ' (seitaiteki nitchi - ecological niche), '左右される' (sayū sareru - to be influenced by).
群れ行動の進化における「血縁選択説」（kin selection theory）は、近親者間の利他的行動を説明する主要な枠組みを提供している。
group behavior 's evolution in 'kin selection theory', close relatives between altruistic behavior explain main framework provides.
'血縁選択説' (ken'en sentaku setsu - kin selection theory), '利他的行動' (riteki kōdō - altruistic behavior).
人間社会における「群集心理」と動物の群れに見られる同調現象との間には、神経基盤（neural basis）レベルでの比較研究が試みられている。
human society in 'crowd psychology' and animal 's group seen synchronization phenomenon between, neural basis level at comparative study is being attempted.
'神経基盤' (shinkei kiban - neural basis), '比較研究' (hikaku kenkyū - comparative study).
群れを統率するリーダーシップの形態は、種によって多様であり、その適応的意義（adaptive significance）は未だ完全には解明されていない。
group lead 's leadership 's form, species by diverse is, its adaptive significance still completely not yet elucidated.
'統率する' (tōsotsu suru - to lead, command), '適応的意義' (tekiōteki igi - adaptive significance).
Colocaciones comunes
Idioms & Expressions
"群れをなす (mure o nasu)"
To form a group, flock, or herd.
魚が海で大群れをなしていた。(Sakana ga umi de ōmure o nashite ita.) - The fish were forming a large school in the sea.
neutral"群れからはぐれる (mure kara hagureru)"
To stray from the group/flock/herd.
迷子の子供は群れからはぐれた子羊のようだった。(Maigo no kodomo wa mure kara hagureta kohitsuji no yō datta.) - The lost child was like a lamb strayed from the flock.
neutral"群れに紛れ込む (mure ni magirekomu)"
To blend into a crowd or group.
彼は人混みに紛れ込んで姿を消した。(Kare wa hitogomi ni magirekonde sugata o keshita.) - He blended into the crowd and disappeared.
neutral"群れを率いる (mure o hīriru)"
To lead a group or flock.
リーダーは群れを率いて安全な場所へ向かった。(Rīdā wa mure o hīite anzen na basho e mukatta.) - The leader guided the herd to a safe place.
neutral"群れに逆らう (mure ni sakarau)"
To go against the group; to be nonconformist.
彼は常に群れに逆らうような考えを持っていた。(Kare wa tsune ni mure ni sakarau yō na kangae o motte ita.) - He always had thoughts that went against the grain.
neutral"群れなす (mure nasu)"
A more concise verb form of 'mure o nasu', meaning to form a group.
鳥たちが空で群れなしていた。(Tori-tachi ga sora de mure nashite ita.) - The birds were flocking in the sky.
neutralEasily Confused
Both refer to groups.
'群れ' is specifically for animals. '集団' is broader and can apply to people, organizations, or abstract collections.
動物の<strong>群れ</strong>を見た。(I saw a group of animals.) vs. その<strong>集団</strong>は目的が不明確だ。(That group's purpose is unclear.)
Both can imply a large number.
'群衆' specifically refers to a large crowd of people, often in a public space. '群れ' is for animals.
<strong>群衆</strong>がイベントに集まった。(A crowd gathered for the event.) vs. <strong>群れ</strong>で行動する動物。(Animals that act in groups.)
Very similar sound and related meaning.
'群れ (mure)' is the noun (the group itself). '群れる (mureru)' is the verb form, meaning 'to flock' or 'to swarm'.
鳥の<strong>群れ</strong>がいた。(There was a flock of birds.) vs. 鳥が空で<strong>群れて</strong>いた。(The birds were flocking in the sky.)
Both relate to animals.
'一匹 (ippiki)' means 'one animal' (used as a counter). '群れ (mure)' means a group of animals.
<strong>一匹</strong>の犬がいた。(There was one dog.) vs. <strong>群れ</strong>で犬が遊んでいた。(The dogs were playing in a group.)
Sentence Patterns
Noun + の + 群れ
鹿<strong>の群れ</strong>が丘を登っていた。(Shika <strong>no mure</strong> ga oka o nobotte ita.) - A herd of deer was climbing the hill.
群れ + で + Verb
彼らは<strong>群れで</strong>行動する。(Karera wa <strong>mure de</strong> kōdō suru.) - They act as a group.
群れ + を + Verb
魚が<strong>群れをなして</strong>泳いでいた。(Sakana ga <strong>mure o nashite</strong> oyoide ita.) - The fish were swimming, forming a school.
Adjective + 群れ
<strong>大きな群れ</strong>が南へ移動した。(<strong>Ōkina mure</strong> ga minami e idō shita.) - A large group migrated south.
群れ + から + Verb
一羽が<strong>群れから</strong>離れた。(Ichiwa ga <strong>mure kara</strong> hanareta.) - One bird separated from the flock.
Familia de palabras
Nouns
Verbs
Relacionado
How to Use It
Formality Scale
Errores comunes
'群れ' is specifically for animals. Using it for people can sound strange or even dehumanizing.
These words sound completely different and have unrelated meanings. It's important to distinguish them.
Particles are crucial in Japanese. '鳥群れ' (torimure) without 'の' is incorrect. '群れで' indicates acting 'as a group'.
'群れ' implies a noticeable gathering. While technically correct, it might sound slightly unnatural for just two or three animals unless emphasizing their collective action.
Ensure the 'u' sound is clear and the 're' is not too harsh. Avoid blending the syllables too much.
Tips
Sound Association
Remember 'Moo-reh' sounds like a cow leading a herd. Moo (ム) + Reh (レ) = 群れ (mure).
Animal Focus
Always think 'animals' when you see or use '群れ'. For people, use '集団' or '群衆'.
Human vs. Animal
Be mindful that calling people a '群れ' is often disrespectful, implying they lack independent thought.
Particle Power
Remember the common patterns: 'Noun + の + 群れ' (e.g., 鳥の群れ) and '群れ + で + Verb' (e.g., 群れで行動する).
Clear Syllables
Pronounce 'mu' and 're' distinctly. Don't rush the sounds together.
Avoid 'Animal Group' Confusion
Don't mix up '群れ' (group of animals) with words like '山' (mountain) or '川' (river).
Kanji Clue
The kanji '群' visually combines 'eight' and 'cow', hinting at a large gathering of cows!
Visualize!
When you learn '群れ', picture a specific animal group: a flock of birds, a herd of elephants. This makes the word more memorable.
Specific vs. General
While '群れ' is common, remember specific terms like '魚群 (gyogun)' for fish schools exist too.
No Plurals Needed
Relax about plurals! Context, numbers, or counters usually tell you if it's one group or many.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Imagine a 'moo'-ing cow (ム) leading a 'reh'-d of other cows. Moo-reh = 群れ.
Visual Association
Picture a large, moving mass of animals – like a stampede or a swirling flock of birds.
Word Web
Desafío
Try describing different animal groups you see in pictures or videos using '群れ'.
Origen de la palabra
Japanese
Original meaning: The kanji '群' originally depicted many cows gathered together, signifying a group or herd. The suffix 'れ' likely denotes a collective state.
Contexto cultural
When referring to humans, using '群れ' can be derogatory, implying a lack of individuality or mindless following, similar to 'herd mentality' in English.
In English-speaking cultures, specific terms like 'flock' (birds), 'herd' (grazing mammals), 'pack' (wolves, dogs), 'school' (fish), and 'pride' (lions) are used. 'Group' is a general term.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Nature documentaries / Wildlife observation
- 鳥の群れが空を飛んでいる。
- 象の群れが水を飲みに来た。
- 魚の群れがサンゴ礁の周りを泳いでいる。
Farming / Ranching
- 羊の群れを牧草地へ移動させる。
- 牛の群れが柵の中にいる。
- 馬の群れを管理する。
Describing animal behavior
- 狼は群れで狩りをする。
- 群れをなして移動するバッタ。
- 群れからはぐれた子ライオン。
Figurative language (caution!)
- まるで群れからはぐれた子羊のようだ。
- 群集心理は危険だ。
Conversation Starters
"Did you see that amazing flock of birds earlier? What do you call that in Japanese?"
"Imagine you're on a safari. What animals might you see in a '群れ'?"
"Why do you think animals like to live in groups or '群れ'?"
"Have you ever seen a really big '群れ' of fish while swimming or diving?"
"What's the difference between a '群れ' of animals and a '集団' of people?"
Journal Prompts
Describe a time you saw a large group of animals. What kind of animals were they, and what were they doing?
Write a short story about an animal that gets separated from its '群れ'. What challenges does it face?
How does the concept of '群れ' relate to human society? Are there similarities or differences?
Imagine you are a bird in a large flock ('鳥の群れ'). Describe the feeling of flying together.
Preguntas frecuentes
8 preguntasYes, '群れ' can be used for insects, often translated as 'swarm'. For example, 'アリの群れ' (ari no mure) means an ant colony or swarm.
'群れ' is specifically for animals. '集団 (shūdan)' is a more general term that can refer to groups of animals, people, or even abstract things.
You would say 'ライオンの群れ (raion no mure)'. While 'pride' is specific in English, '群れ' is the general Japanese term.
No, Japanese nouns don't inherently indicate plural. '群れ' can refer to one group or multiple groups depending on the context.
Yes, '群れ' is used for fish, often translated as 'school'. For example, '魚の群れ (sakana no mure)'.
You could say '二羽の鳥 (niwa no tori)' (two birds). If you want to emphasize they are together, you might say '二羽の鳥の群れ', but it's less common than for larger numbers.
When referring to humans, yes. It can imply a lack of individuality or mindless following, similar to 'herd mentality'. For animals, it's neutral.
The verb form is '群れる (mureru)', meaning 'to flock' or 'to swarm'.
Ponte a prueba
公園でアヒルの ______ を見た。
'群れ (mure)' means a group of animals, like ducks.
Which word means 'a flock of birds'?
'鳥 (tori)' means bird, so '鳥の群れ' is a flock of birds.
The word '群れ (mure)' can be used to describe a group of people.
'群れ' is typically used for animals. For people, '集団 (shūdan)' or '群衆 (gunshū)' is more appropriate.
Word
Significado
Matching animal types with the collective noun '群れ'.
The correct sentence is '動物は群れで行動することが多い。(Dōbutsu wa mure de kōdō suru koto ga ooi.)' meaning 'Animals often act in groups.'
捕食者から身を守るために、多くの動物は ______ で行動する。
'群れ (mure)' means 'group', and animals often act in groups for protection.
What does the phrase '群れからはぐれる (mure kara hagureru)' imply?
'はぐれる (hagureru)' means to stray or become separated.
その地域には野生の馬の ______ が生息している。
'群れ (mure)' is the most appropriate term for a group of wild animals like horses.
「鳥の ______ は、その複雑な飛行パターンで知られている。」
This sentence refers to a flock of birds, for which '群れ' is the correct term.
In a scientific paper discussing animal behavior, which term would be most precise for a large gathering of wildebeest?
'群れ' is the standard and most precise term for animal groups in scientific contexts.
Puntuación: /10
Summary
群れ (mure) is your go-to Japanese word for any group of animals, from tiny fish schools to vast herds.
- A collective noun for groups of animals.
- Translates to flock, herd, pack, school, swarm.
- Used primarily for animals, not people.
- Commonly used with animal names like '鳥の群れ' (flock of birds).
Sound Association
Remember 'Moo-reh' sounds like a cow leading a herd. Moo (ム) + Reh (レ) = 群れ (mure).
Animal Focus
Always think 'animals' when you see or use '群れ'. For people, use '集団' or '群衆'.
Human vs. Animal
Be mindful that calling people a '群れ' is often disrespectful, implying they lack independent thought.
Particle Power
Remember the common patterns: 'Noun + の + 群れ' (e.g., 鳥の群れ) and '群れ + で + Verb' (e.g., 群れで行動する).
Ejemplo
羊の群れが草を食べている。
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