Overview
牛乳 (ぎゅうにゅう) means "milk," specifically cow's milk, and is a common everyday noun used in various contexts such as food, drinks, and cooking.
Usage Notes
When you say 牛乳, you usually refer to fresh or processed cow's milk, not other types like soy milk (豆乳). It is a neutral, polite term suitable for daily conversation and written language.
Common Collocations
- 牛乳を飲む: to drink milk, a very common phrase when talking about meals or beverages.
- 牛乳パック: milk carton, often used when buying or storing milk.
- 牛乳を入れる: to add milk, often used in cooking or making coffee/tea.
Tips
Be careful not to confuse 牛乳 with ミルク, which can sometimes refer to milk in a more general or processed sense, including milk powder or formula. 牛乳 is more specific to fresh cow's milk.
Using 牛乳 in sentences about meals, storage, or ingredients will help you sound natural and clear.