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B1 noun, verb 7분 분량

捕食

hoshoku

연습하기 예시 노트와 팁 捕食 30초 만에

설명 捕食 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you don't need to use the word 'hoshoku' yet. Instead, you should focus on the basic words for 'eat' (taberu) and 'animal' (doubutsu). Think of 'hoshoku' as a very special, scientific way to say 'an animal eats another animal'. Imagine a picture of a cat eating a fish. In basic Japanese, you would say 'Neko ga sakana o tabemasu'. 'Hoshoku' is like the 'National Geographic' version of that sentence. You might see the kanji for 'catch' (捕) and 'eat' (食) and recognize them separately. Just remember: Catch + Eat = Predation. It is a big word for a simple natural action. You will mostly see this in picture books about nature or at the zoo on signs explaining what the lions do.

무료 가입하고 전체 설명 읽기

For A2 learners, 'hoshoku' is a useful word to recognize when watching nature videos or visiting an aquarium in Japan. You know the verb 'tsukamaeru' (to catch) and 'taberu' (to eat). 'Hoshoku' combines these into a formal noun. At this level, you can start to notice the pattern of 'suru' verbs. 'Hoshoku suru' means 'to prey on'. You might see it in a sentence like 'Ookami wa shika o hoshoku shimasu' (Wolves prey on deer). It is important to know that this word is formal. You wouldn't use it to talk about your pet dog eating its dog food. It is strictly for the wild. Focus on recognizing the two kanji together and understanding that they represent the 'circle of life' in nature.

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At the B1 level, you should begin using 'hoshoku' in your writing and speaking when discussing science, nature, or the environment. This is the level where you move beyond 'taberu' to describe ecological relationships. You should understand the difference between 'kari' (hunting) and 'hoshoku' (predation). 'Hoshoku' is an objective, biological term. You can also learn related terms like 'hoshokusha' (predator). For example, 'Same wa umi no hoshokusha desu' (Sharks are predators of the sea). This word is common in JLPT N3/N2 reading passages about animals. Using it correctly shows that you can handle more academic or professional topics in Japanese. Practice using the '〜を捕食する' structure to describe food chains.

At the B2 level, you are expected to understand 'hoshoku' in more complex contexts, including its metaphorical uses and academic nuances. You should be comfortable with the passive form 'hoshoku sareru' and the related noun 'hishokusha' (prey). You might encounter this word in news reports about ecology or invasive species. For instance, 'Gairaishu ga zairaishu o hoshoku shi, seitaikei ga kuzureteiru' (Invasive species are preying on native species, and the ecosystem is collapsing). You should also notice how 'hoshoku' is used in compound words like 'hoshoku-atsu' (predation pressure). At this stage, you should be able to explain the concept of a food web (shokumotsu-mou) using 'hoshoku' as a key verb to describe the links between organisms.

무료 가입하고 전체 설명 읽기

For C1 learners, 'hoshoku' is a foundational term for scientific discourse. You should be able to discuss 'hoshoku senryaku' (predation strategies) or 'hoshoku kouritsu' (foraging/predation efficiency) in detail. You will encounter this word in academic journals and high-level essays. You should also be aware of its metaphorical application in business and sociology, where it describes aggressive, predatory behavior in competitive markets. For example, 'kyodai shihon ni yoru hoshoku-teki na baishu' (predatory acquisitions by giant capital). At this level, you should understand the subtle difference in tone between 'hoshoku' and other terms like 'hokaku' or 'sesshoku' (ingestion) and choose the one that best fits the technical rigor of your context.

무료 가입하고 전체 설명 읽기

At the C2 level, you have a complete mastery of 'hoshoku' and its place within the vast lexicon of biological and sociological terminology. You can use it fluently in academic presentations, debates about environmental policy, or literary analysis. You understand the historical evolution of the term and how it contrasts with older or more poetic ways of describing the hunt. You can synthesize complex ideas, such as the 'hoshokusha-hishokusha sogo sayo' (predator-prey interactions) and their mathematical modeling in population dynamics. Your use of 'hoshoku' is precise, contextually perfect, and indistinguishable from a native speaker with a background in science or high-level journalism.

무료 가입하고 전체 설명 읽기

연습하기 예시 노트와 팁

捕食 30초 만에

Hoshoku is the formal Japanese word for predation, describing how animals catch and eat each other in the wild.
It functions as both a noun and a suru-verb, typically used in scientific, educational, or documentary settings.
It consists of the kanji for 'catch' and 'eat', emphasizing the biological process of the food chain.
It should not be used for humans eating meals; it is reserved for wild animal behavior or metaphorical aggression.

The Japanese word 捕食 (hoshoku) is a technical and formal term that translates specifically to 'predation' or 'preying upon' in English. It is a compound word formed by two kanji: 捕 (ho), meaning to catch or capture, and 食 (shoku), meaning to eat. When combined, they describe the biological process where one organism (the predator) captures and consumes another organism (the prey). Unlike the more common word for hunting, 狩り (kari), which can refer to human activities or sports, 捕食 is primarily used in scientific, educational, and ecological contexts to describe the food chain and natural survival mechanisms.

Scientific Precision: In biology, 捕食 is used to define the relationship between species. It is the action of a 'predator' (捕食者 - hoshokusha) attacking and eating 'prey' (被食者 - hishokusha). This term is essential for discussing ecosystems, biodiversity, and evolutionary biology.
Formal Register: You will rarely hear this word in casual conversation about a cat catching a mouse unless the speaker is trying to sound academic or clinical. It is the standard term used in nature documentaries, textbooks, and news reports regarding wildlife behavior.
Metaphorical Use: Occasionally, 捕食 is applied to business or social dynamics to describe 'predatory' behavior, such as a large corporation aggressively taking over smaller competitors. This usage highlights a ruthless, survival-of-the-fittest mentality.

クモは網を張って昆虫を捕食する習性がある。(Spiders have the habit of spinning webs to prey on insects.)

自然界では、捕食者と被食者のバランスが重要だ。(In nature, the balance between predators and prey is vital.)

Understanding the nuances of 捕食 helps learners distinguish between 'eating' as a survival function and 'eating' as a biological interaction. While taberu is the general verb for eating, hoshoku implies the hunt, the capture, and the consumption within the context of the wild. It evokes images of lions on the savannah, sharks in the ocean, or even microscopic organisms consuming each other. In literature, using this word provides a cold, objective tone, stripping away the emotion often associated with 'hunting' and focusing on the raw mechanics of life and death in the natural world.

The word 捕食 (hoshoku) functions as a noun and a 'suru' verb. Its usage is quite specific to the act of killing for food. Below are detailed breakdowns of how it integrates into Japanese grammar and sentence structure.

As a Direct Verb (〜を捕食する): The most common way to use this word is as a transitive verb. The entity being eaten is marked with 'o' (を).
Example: フクロウはネズミを捕食する。(Owls prey on mice.)
As a Noun Modifier (捕食の〜): When describing types of behaviors or cycles, use the particle 'no'.
Example: 捕食のサイクル (The cycle of predation).
Describing Roles (捕食者 vs 被食者): The suffix 'sha' (者) creates the person/actor. A 捕食者 is a predator. Conversely, adding the passive prefix 'hi' (被) creates 被食者 (prey/the one being eaten).

この魚は、自分より小さい魚を捕食して生きている。(This fish survives by preying on fish smaller than itself.)

プランクトンは多くの海洋生物の捕食対象となっている。(Plankton are the target of predation for many marine organisms.)

In advanced Japanese, you may encounter terms like 捕食圧 (hoshoku-atsu), which means 'predation pressure'—the influence predators have on the population or behavior of prey. This demonstrates how the word is used to describe complex ecological interactions. When writing about science or nature, using 捕食 instead of taberu elevates the register of your Japanese significantly, showing a mastery of technical vocabulary.

While 捕食 (hoshoku) isn't a word for the dinner table, it is ubiquitous in specific media and educational settings. If you enjoy learning about the natural world in Japanese, this word will be one of your most frequent companions.

Nature Documentaries (Doku-番組): Shows like NHK Special or Japanese dubs of National Geographic frequently use 捕食. The narrator might say, 'The cheetah begins its predation,' using the noun form to add a sense of clinical observation to the dramatic footage.
Museums and Aquariums: Explanatory plaques at the Ueno Zoo or the Kaiyukan Aquarium will use 捕食 to explain what animals eat and how they hunt. You might see a diagram labeled 'Predation Habits' (捕食習性).
News Reports on Invasive Species: When a non-native species (like the black bass in Japanese lakes) starts eating local fish, news anchors will use 捕食 to describe the ecological damage. It sounds more serious and objective than 'eating'.

テレビ番組で、サメがアザラシを捕食する瞬間が放映された。(The moment a shark preys on a seal was broadcast on a TV program.)

In academic papers and biology lectures at Japanese universities, 捕食 is the only acceptable term for this concept. Using kari (hunting) suggests a more behavioral or intentional act, whereas 捕食 focuses on the biological energy transfer. If you are preparing for the JLPT N2 or N1, or planning to study science in Japan, mastering this word is crucial for reading comprehension and academic writing.

Because 捕食 (hoshoku) translates to 'preying' or 'eating', beginners often misapply it in contexts where a simpler word is required. Here are the primary pitfalls to avoid.

Confusion with 'Taberu': Mistake: 'I pre preyed on a hamburger.' (ハンバーグを捕食した).
Why: 捕食 requires a 'capture' element. Unless the hamburger was running away and you had to chase it through the wild, use taberu. 捕食 is for wild animals or metaphorical aggression.
Confusion with 'Kari' (Hunting): Mistake: Using 捕食 for human sport. Humans 'hunt' (kari) for deer, but they don't 捕食 them in the biological sense of a predator-prey relationship in an ecosystem. 捕食 implies the entire process of catching and eating as a biological necessity.
Incorrect Passive Usage: Learners often try to say 'was eaten' using 捕食された. While grammatically correct, it is often better to use the specific term 被食 (hishoku) when referring to the state of being preyed upon in a scientific context.

Incorrect: 私はお昼ご飯を捕食しました。(I 'predated' my lunch.)

Another mistake involves the kanji. Do not confuse 捕 (catch) with 浦 (bay) or 補 (supplement). While they look similar, their meanings are entirely different. Always look for the 'hand' radical (扌) on the left of 捕, which indicates the physical act of grasping or catching something.

To truly master 捕食 (hoshoku), you should understand how it compares to other words related to catching and eating. Japanese has many specific terms depending on the species and the intent.

狩猟 (Shuryou) vs 捕食: 狩猟 refers specifically to human hunting, often for sport or as a regulated industry. 捕食 is the natural biological act of animals.
捕獲 (Hokaku) vs 捕食: 捕獲 means 'capture' or 'seizure'. It doesn't necessarily imply eating. A scientist might 捕獲 a bird to tag it for research, but a hawk will 捕食 that same bird for food.
餌食 (Ejiki) vs 捕食: 餌食 means 'prey' or 'victim'. It is often used figuratively to describe someone who has been taken advantage of. 'Hoshoku' is the action; 'Ejiki' is the result or the victim.

ライオンは捕食者としての地位を確立している。(Lions have established their position as predators.)

When choosing between these words, consider the 'end goal'. If the goal is biological consumption, 捕食 is the most accurate. If the goal is human sport, use 狩猟. If the goal is just the act of catching (like a police officer catching a criminal), use taiho (逮捕) or tsukamaeru (捕まえる). By using the correct term, you demonstrate a deep understanding of Japanese semantic boundaries.

How Formal Is It?

재미있는 사실

The kanji '捕' (ho) contains the 'hand' radical, indicating a physical grab, while '食' (shoku) is a pictograph of a food container with a lid. Together, they perfectly visualize the act of grabbing dinner!

발음 가이드

UK hɒ-ʃɒ-kɯ

US hoʊ-ʃoʊ-ku

No lexical stress; pitch accent is typically 'Atamadaka' (High-Low-Low) in many dialects, but often flat (Heiban) in standard Japanese depending on the phrase.

라임이 맞는 단어

Koshoku (eating alone) Goshoku (misprint) Soshoku (simple diet) Danshoku (fasting) Houshoku (gluttony) Kyoshoku (eating disorder) Youshoku (Western food) Washoku (Japanese food)

자주 하는 실수

Pronouncing 'ho' like English 'who'. It should be 'ho' as in 'hot'.
Stressing the middle syllable. Keep all syllables even.
Confusing 'hoshoku' with 'houshoku' (decoration/excessive eating). Note the short 'o'.

난이도

독해 3/5

Kanji are common but technical. Recognizable for B1 learners.

쓰기 4/5

Writing '捕' from memory can be tricky due to the many strokes.

말하기 3/5

Pronunciation is easy, but finding the right context is key.

듣기 2/5

Clear pronunciation makes it easy to hear in documentaries.

다음에 무엇을 배울까

선수 학습

食べる (taberu) 捕まえる (tsukamaeru) 動物 (doubutsu) 肉 (niku) 魚 (sakana)

다음에 배울 것

生態系 (seitaikei) 食物連鎖 (shokumotsu-mou) 絶滅 (zetsumetsu) 繁殖 (hanshoku) 進化 (shinka)

고급

栄養段階 (eiyou dankai) 個体群動態 (kotaigun doutai) 捕食寄生 (hoshoku kiseis)

알아야 할 문법

Suru-verbs

捕食する (to prey on)

Passive Voice (Rarely used for humans)

捕食される (to be preyed on)

Noun + 者 (Person/Actor)

捕食者 (predator)

Relative Clauses

魚を捕食する鳥 (A bird that preys on fish)

Noun + の + Noun

捕食のサイクル (The cycle of predation)

무료 가입하고 전체 설명 읽기

수준별 예문

ライオンは肉を捕食します。

Lions prey on meat (formal/scientific tone).

Simple suru-verb usage.

大きな魚が小さな魚を捕食する。

Big fish prey on small fish.

Object marker 'o' used for the prey.

クモは虫を捕食します。

Spiders prey on insects.

Formal present tense.

ヘビはカエルを捕食する。

Snakes prey on frogs.

Subject-Object-Verb structure.

鳥は木の実を捕食しません。

Birds do not 'prey' on nuts (Note: hoshoku is for animals).

Negative form.

これは捕食の絵です。

This is a picture of predation.

Noun usage with 'no'.

捕食者はだれですか？

Who is the predator?

Noun + 'sha' for person/actor.

動物は捕食して生きます。

Animals live by preying (on others).

Te-form for means/method.

フクロウは夜に捕食活動をします。

Owls engage in predation activities at night.

Compound noun 'hoshoku katsudou'.

カマキリは他の虫を捕食する習性がある。

Praying mantises have the habit of preying on other insects.

Relative clause before 'shuusei'.

多くの動物が捕食されるのを避けます。

Many animals avoid being preyed upon.

Passive form 'hoshoku sareru'.

サメの捕食シーンは怖いです。

Predation scenes of sharks are scary.

Noun usage.

自然の中では、捕食は普通のことです。

In nature, predation is a normal thing.

Topic marker 'wa'.

ワシは高い空から獲物を捕食する。

Eagles prey on their catch from high in the sky.

Adverbial phrase 'from high sky'.

この動物は捕食者から逃げます。

This animal runs away from predators.

Ablative 'kara'.

捕食する側とされる側があります。

There is a side that preys and a side that is preyed upon.

Contrast between active and passive.

生態系のバランスを保つために捕食は必要だ。

Predation is necessary to maintain the balance of the ecosystem.

Purpose 'tame ni'.

そのクジラは大量のプランクトンを捕食する。

That whale preys on large amounts of plankton.

Adjective 'tairyou no'.

捕食者がいなくなると、被食者が増えすぎる。

If predators disappear, the prey will increase too much.

Conditional 'to'.

この鳥は独特な方法で魚を捕食する。

This bird preys on fish in a unique way.

Instrumental 'de'.

捕食行動を観察するのは興味深い。

Observing predatory behavior is interesting.

Gerund-like 'no wa'.

チーターは速さを武器に捕食を行う。

Cheetahs carry out predation using speed as a weapon.

Using 'o okonau' for formal action.

外来種が在来種を捕食して問題になっている。

Invasive species are preying on native species, which has become a problem.

Te-form for cause/reason.

捕食の連鎖を食物連鎖と呼びます。

The chain of predation is called the food chain.

A to yobu (called A).

捕食圧が高まると、被食者の行動が変化する。

When predation pressure increases, the behavior of the prey changes.

Compound 'hoshoku-atsu'.

頂点捕食者は、その生態系で敵がいない。

Apex predators have no enemies in that ecosystem.

Noun 'chouten hoshokusha'.

擬態は捕食から逃れるための進化の一つだ。

Mimicry is one of the evolutions to escape from predation.

Compound 'nogareru tame'.

捕食効率を上げるために、群れで狩りをする。

They hunt in packs to increase predation efficiency.

Compound 'hoshoku kouritsu'.

この昆虫は、捕食した獲物の体液を吸う。

This insect sucks the body fluids of the prey it has predated.

Relative clause with past tense 'hoshoku shita'.

深海では、独自の捕食システムが発達している。

In the deep sea, unique predation systems have developed.

Noun 'hoshoku shisutemu'.

捕食者と被食者の共進化について研究する。

Researching the co-evolution of predators and prey.

Noun 'kyoushinka'.

過剰な捕食は、種の絶滅を招く恐れがある。

Excessive predation carries the risk of leading to species extinction.

Grammar 'osore ga aru'.

捕食者の個体数変動は、被食者の密度に依存する。

Fluctuations in predator population depend on the density of the prey.

Formal 'ni izon suru'.

この論文は、鳥類の捕食戦略における意思決定を分析している。

This paper analyzes decision-making in the predation strategies of birds.

Academic 'ni okeru'.

捕食回避のための形態的変化が観察された。

Morphological changes for the avoidance of predation were observed.

Noun 'hoshoku kaihi'.

市場における捕食的価格設定は、独占禁止法に抵触する可能性がある。

Predatory pricing in the market may conflict with antitrust laws.

Metaphorical usage.

捕食寄生という特殊な生存形態を持つ昆虫もいる。

Some insects have a special survival form called parasitoidism (predation-parasitism).

Technical term 'hoshoku kiseis'.

捕食の有無が、群集構造に決定的な影響を及ぼす。

The presence or absence of predation has a decisive influence on community structure.

Formal 'eikyou o oyobosu'.

被食者は捕食リスクを最小限に抑えるよう行動する。

Prey act in a way that minimizes predation risk.

Noun 'hoshoku risuku'.

捕食者の不在が、植生の劣化を引き起こした。

The absence of predators caused the degradation of vegetation.

Formal 'hikiokoshita'.

捕食者と被食者のダイナミクスをロトカ＝ヴォルテラ方程式で記述する。

Describing predator-prey dynamics using the Lotka-Volterra equations.

Highly technical.

捕食という行為の根底にある、エネルギー転換の不可逆性。

The irreversibility of energy conversion underlying the act of predation.

Philosophical/Scientific.

上位捕食者の再導入が、栄養段階のカスケードを引き起こした。

The reintroduction of top predators triggered a trophic cascade.

Advanced ecology term.

捕食的買収による業界再編の波が押し寄せている。

A wave of industry restructuring due to predatory acquisitions is surging.

Advanced business Japanese.

捕食者の知覚バイアスが、獲物の色彩進化に寄与している。

The perceptual bias of predators contributes to the color evolution of prey.

Evolutionary biology.

捕食という根源的な暴力性を、文学作品はどう描いてきたか。

How have literary works depicted the primordial violence of predation?

Literary analysis.

捕食機能の特化は、種の多様化を促進する要因となり得る。

Specialization of predatory functions can be a factor promoting species diversification.

Formal 'tari-uru'.

捕食のメカニズムを解明することは、生命の本質に迫ることだ。

Elucidating the mechanism of predation is approaching the essence of life.

Philosophical conclusion.

동의어

捕食する食う餌食にする

반의어

被食

자주 쓰는 조합

捕食者

捕食行動

捕食対象

捕食圧

捕食回避

捕食効率

捕食戦略

捕食習性

捕食寄生

捕食連鎖

자주 쓰는 구문

捕食する

— To prey on something. This is the standard verb form.

ワシが魚を捕食する。

捕食される

— To be preyed upon. The passive form used for the victim.

小魚は常に捕食される危険がある。

捕食のサイクル

— The cycle of predation. Refers to the natural order.

自然界には捕食のサイクルがある。

捕食関係

— Predator-prey relationship. Used in ecological studies.

二種類の動物の捕食関係。

頂点捕食者

— Apex predator. The animal at the top of the food chain.

ホッキョクグマは頂点捕食者だ。

捕食者から逃げる

— To escape from a predator. Common in nature descriptions.

シカが捕食者から逃げる。

捕食を避ける

— To avoid predation. Often used regarding animal survival strategies.

カメレオンは色を変えて捕食を避ける。

捕食シーン

— A predation scene. Common in documentary contexts.

衝撃的な捕食シーン。

捕食者としての本能

— Instinct as a predator. Used in literature or psychology.

捕食者としての本能が目覚める。

捕食活動

— Predatory activity. Refers to the time spent hunting.

夜間の捕食活動。

자주 혼동되는 단어

捕食 vs 狩猟

Hunting (human sport) vs Predation (animal survival).

捕食 vs 捕獲

Capturing (not necessarily eating) vs Predation (eating is the goal).

捕食 vs 食害

Animals eating plants vs Animals eating animals.

관용어 및 표현

"弱肉強食"

— The law of the jungle; survival of the fittest. Literally 'weak meat, strong food'.

このビジネス界は弱肉強食だ。

Common Idiom

"虎の口を逃れる"

— To escape from the tiger's mouth (a dangerous situation).

九死に一生を得て、虎の口を逃れた。

Literary

"鵜の目鷹の目"

— Looking for something very sharply (like a cormorant or hawk hunting).

彼は鵜の目鷹の目で間違いを探している。

Common Idiom

"獲物を狙う"

— To eye one's prey. Used for someone planning an attack or deal.

投資家がチャンスという獲物を狙っている。

Metaphorical

"蛇に見込まれた蛙"

— A frog charmed/transfixed by a snake (unable to move from fear).

上司の前に出ると、彼は蛇に見込まれた蛙のようだ。

Common Idiom

"カマキリの斧"

— A mantis's axe (useless resistance against a much stronger foe).

大企業に挑むのはカマキリの斧だ。

Literary

"カモにする"

— To make someone a 'duck' (to dupe or prey on someone easily).

初心者をカモにしてはいけない。

Informal

"毒を食らわば皿まで"

— If you're going to eat poison, eat the plate too (finish what you started, even if bad).

もう後戻りはできない。毒を食らわば皿までだ。

Idiomatic

"虎穴に入らずんば虎子を得ず"

— If you don't enter the tiger's cave, you won't catch the tiger cub (no risk, no reward).

危険を承知で行こう。虎穴に入らずんば虎子を得ずだ。

Proverb

"弱きを助け強きを挫く"

— Helping the weak and crushing the strong (the opposite of predatory behavior).

彼は弱きを助け強きを挫くヒーローだ。

Virtuous

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捕食 vs 捕獲

Both start with 'ho' (catch).

Hokaku is just catching; Hoshoku is catching and eating.

クマを捕獲して山に返した。

捕食 vs 摂食

Both involve eating.

Sesshoku is the general act of ingestion; Hoshoku is specific to predation.

赤ちゃんの摂食機能を調べる。

捕食 vs 飽食

Both end in 'shoku'.

Houshoku means gluttony or having too much food; Hoshoku is predation.

飽食の時代に生きる。

捕食 vs 粗食

Both end in 'shoku'.

Soshoku is a simple, plain diet; Hoshoku is predation.

粗食を心がける。

捕食 vs 捕縛

Both start with 'ho'.

Hobaku means to arrest or bind someone; Hoshoku is predation.

犯人を捕縛する。

문장 패턴

[Animal A] は [Animal B] を捕食します。

ライオンはシマウマを捕食します。

[Animal A] が [Animal B] を捕食する習性。

クモが虫を捕食する習性。

[Animal A] は [Method] で捕食を行う。

チーターは速いスピードで捕食を行う。

[Animal B] は [Animal A] に捕食される。

小魚はサメに捕食される。

捕食の対象となるのは [Animal B] だ。

捕食の対象となるのはネズミだ。

捕食圧によって [Result]。

捕食圧によって個体数が減った。

[Animal A] の捕食戦略は [Description]。

この鳥の捕食戦略は非常に巧妙だ。

捕食と被食の相互作用が [Mechanism]。

捕食と被食の相互作用が生態系を維持する。

어휘 가족

명사

捕食者 (Predator)

被食者 (Prey)

捕食行動 (Predatory behavior)

捕食圧 (Predation pressure)

동사

捕食する (To prey on)

捕食される (To be preyed on)

형용사

捕食的な (Predatory)

사용법

frequency

High in scientific and documentary contexts; low in daily conversation.

자주 하는 실수

Eating a sandwich: サンドイッチを捕食する → サンドイッチを食べる
Hoshoku is for wild predation, not human meals.
Using 'kari' for spiders: クモが狩りをする → クモが捕食する
While 'kari' is okay, 'hoshoku' is more accurate for the biological act.
Writing '補食' instead of '捕食' → 捕食
補食 means 'supplementary feeding', which is a completely different word.
Confusing 'hoshoku' with 'houshoku' (gluttony) → 捕食 (short o)
The length of the vowel changes the meaning entirely.
Using 'hoshoku' for herbivores → 草を食べる / 採食する
Hoshoku specifically implies preying on other animals.

팁

Using Suru

Always remember that 'hoshoku' is a suru-verb. You can use it as 'hoshoku suru' (to prey) or 'hoshoku katsudou' (predatory activity).

Predator vs Prey

Learn 'hoshokusha' and 'hishokusha' as a pair. The 'hi' in 'hishokusha' means 'the one who receives the action'.

Watch NHK

NHK nature programs are the best place to hear this word used in its natural habitat (pun intended).

Hand Radical

Look for the hand radical 扌 in 捕. It helps you remember that predation involves 'catching' by hand/claw.

Not for Dinner

Don't use 'hoshoku' for eating dinner unless you want to sound like a wild beast or a scientist.

Food Chain

Connect 'hoshoku' to 'shokumotsu-rensa' (food chain) in your mind to build a science vocabulary web.

JLPT Context

In JLPT tests, if you see 'hoshoku', the passage is likely about biology or environmental issues.

Business Use

In business, use it to describe aggressive companies that 'eat' smaller ones.

Flat Pitch

Try to keep the pitch flat. Don't stress the 'sho' too much.

Stroke Order

Practice the stroke order of 捕 to ensure it looks balanced; the right side is 'ho' (浦 minus the water).

암기하기

기억법

Think of a 'HO' (hawk) that 'SHO' (shows) its 'KU' (claws) to catch and eat its prey. HO-SHO-KU.

시각적 연상

Imagine a polar bear (a predator) catching a fish. The 'hand' radical in 捕 is the bear's paw, and 食 is the fish being eaten.

Word Web

Animal Hunt Eat Nature Survival Teeth Claws Food chain

챌린지

Try to find three animals in a nature documentary and describe their 'hoshoku' habits in Japanese.

어원

Composed of Middle Chinese-derived kanji. '捕' (capture) and '食' (eat). It entered Japanese as a technical term for biology during the modernization of the Meiji era.

원래 의미: To capture and consume.

Sino-Japanese (Kango).

문화적 맥락

Be careful when using this word metaphorically in business; it implies a very aggressive, almost 'villainous' takeover strategy.

The English word 'predation' is similarly clinical and scientific compared to the more common 'hunting'.

NHK Nature Specials (frequent use) Attack on Titan (metaphorical use) National Geographic Japanese editions

실생활에서 연습하기

실제 사용 상황

Biology Class

捕食者の役割
被食者の生存戦略
食物網の構造
捕食圧の影響

Nature Documentary

壮絶な捕食シーン
捕食の瞬間
獲物を捕食する
厳しい捕食の世界

Aquarium/Zoo

捕食の様子を観察
何を捕食しますか？
捕食習性の解説
展示動物の捕食

Environmental News

外来種による捕食
在来種の捕食被害
生態系への捕食影響
捕食を制限する

Business/Economics

捕食的買収
市場の捕食者
弱肉強食の論理
捕食的な価格設定

대화 시작하기

"自然ドキュメンタリーで一番驚いた捕食シーンは何ですか？"

"もし自分が捕食者なら、どんな動物になりたいですか？"

"生態系における捕食者の重要性についてどう思いますか？"

"最近、ニュースで外来種の捕食問題について聞きましたか？"

"都会のカラスは何を捕食して生きているのでしょうか？"

일기 주제

今日、自然の中で見た捕食（または食べること）について書いてください。

人間社会における『捕食的な行動』について、あなたの意見を述べてください。

もし捕食者が世界からいなくなったら、どうなるか想像して書いてください。

あなたが知っている面白い捕食戦略を持つ動物について説明してください。

『弱肉強食』という言葉は、現代社会に当てはまると思いますか？

자주 묻는 질문

10 질문

You can, but it sounds like you are watching a nature documentary about your cat. It's better to use 'taberu' unless the cat is catching a bird in the garden and you want to describe it scientifically.

'Kari' (狩り) focuses on the action of hunting, while 'hoshoku' (捕食) focuses on the biological relationship of preying and eating. 'Kari' is also used for humans.

Yes, it frequently appears in JLPT N2 and N1 reading sections, especially in passages about science or animals.

The most common word is 'hoshokusha' (捕食者).

Yes, for carnivorous plants like the Venus Flytrap, 'hoshoku' is the correct term.

It is 'chouten hoshokusha' (頂点捕食者).

Yes, 'hishokusha' (被食者) or more commonly in general contexts, 'emono' (獲物).

Absolutely. It is the standard term for spiders, mantises, etc., preying on other bugs.

No, it is a neutral, scientific term describing a natural process.

Yes, both use the kanji '捕', which means to catch or seize.

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