生物

せいぶつ

living thing, organism

JLPT N3

Character Breakdown

Meaning and Usage

"生物" (shēngwù) primarily means "organism" or "living thing." It refers to any living entity, including animals, plants, and microorganisms. This term is commonly used in scientific contexts such as biology (生物) and ecology.

Common Collocations

  • 生物 (biology): the scientific study of living organisms.
  • 生物 (biodiversity): the variety of living species in an environment.
  • 生物 (wildlife): animals and plants living in natural conditions.

Usage Notes

When using 生物, speakers often imply a scientific or formal context. It is less common to use 生物 in casual conversation when referring to animals or plants; more specific terms like 动物 (animals) or 植物 (plants) might be preferred.

Common Confusion

生物 is sometimes confused with 动物 (animals). Remember, 生物 includes all living things, not just animals. This broader scope is important in scientific discussions.

Summary

Use 生物 when discussing living organisms in a general or scientific sense, especially in academic or environmental contexts.

Example Sentences

Biology is the science that studies organisms.

There are many different kinds of organisms in the forest.

Protecting biological diversity is very important for the environment.