The Meaning of oushiza [牡牛座] In Japanese

牡牛座
おうしざ
Romaji: oushiza N1

What does 牡牛座 mean?

Translation and Meaning

Taurus, the Bull, zodiac sign

Definition

What does 牡牛座 (oushiza) mean? It denotes Taurus: the bull-shaped zodiacal constellation and astrological sign used in Japanese to refer to that portion of the ecliptic and the people associated with it.

Type

Noun (名詞)

Stroke Order

Meanings

  • As an astronomical term: the constellation of Taurus, a pattern of stars recognized in star charts and celestial navigation.
  • As a birth-sign label: people born roughly between April 20 and May 20 are often described by this sign.
  • In popular astrology: a cluster of personality traits (e.g., steady, stubborn, materially oriented) commonly attributed to those born under the sign.
  • As a cultural symbol: the bull motif used in art, merchandise, branding, and character archetypes referencing stability or strength.

Origin

The Western zodiac term represented by 牡牛座 (oushiza) entered Japanese discourse via translations of Western astronomy and astrology from the late Edo into the Meiji era and became widespread through newspapers, almanacs and 20th-century mass media, blending with existing celestial naming practices.

Composition

  • 牡: original meaning “male (animal)” often used to indicate a male or bull element.
  • 牛: “cow/ox/bovine,” the animal core of the word.
  • 座: “seat; constellation; group,” used in astronomical/astrological names to denote a star group or sign. Together the characters literally evoke a “bull-seat,” signifying the bull constellation/sign.

Usage

Appears in print and online horoscopes, birthday descriptions, astronomy education and popular culture; used both casually (talking about someone’s sign or traits) and formally (in star charts or planetarium materials), and also as a motif in design and marketing when invoking the bull image.
💡 Tips
Visualize a bull sitting on a throne: 牡牛座 (oushiza)—”oushi” (bull) + “za” (seat) makes the image stick and links sound to meaning.

Variations

  • 牡牛（おうし, oushi）— “bull,” a shorthand element of the compound.
  • 蠍座（さそりざ, sasoriza）— “Scorpio,” the traditional opposite zodiac sign.
  • タウラス（たうらす, taurasu）— katakana loanword for the Western name “Taurus.”
牡牛座