牧

mù

攵 + 牛

Definitions

mù (verb) to herd; to raise livestock

mù (verb) to govern; to oversee

Etymology

A hand 攵 leading an ox 牛

About

牧 is an ideogrammatic compound: 牛 'ox' and 攵, a hand holding a stick, together depicting the leading of an ox. Its primary literal meaning was herding or pasturing livestock. As governing roles emerged, this shepherding metaphor extended to ruling people; hence 牧 was used in titles for regional magistrates and governors, seen as shepherds of the populace.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Shang dynasty (~1100 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Shang dynasty (~1100 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Shang dynasty (~1100 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Shang dynasty (~1100 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Mid Western Zhou (~900 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Seal etymology image

Seal Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

牧民牧羊很辛苦。

Mùmín mù yáng hěn xīnkǔ.

Herdsmen herding sheep is very hard work.

牧童骑在牛背上。

Mùtóng qí zài niú bèi shàng.

The shepherd boy rides on the cow's back.

这片牧场非常广阔。

Zhè piàn mùchǎng fēicháng guǎngkuò.

This pasture is very vast.

牧师在教堂讲道。

Mùshī zài jiàotáng jiǎng dào.

The pastor preaches in the church.

春天来了，牧民开始放牧。

Chūntiān lái le, mùmín kāishǐ fàngmù.

Spring has come, and the herdsmen start herding.

每天清晨，他都会去牧场检查。

Měi tiān qīngchén, tā dōu huì qù mùchǎng jiǎnchá.

Every morning, he goes to the pasture to check.

因为牧场管理得好，牛羊长得肥壮。

Yīnwèi mùchǎng guǎnlǐ de hǎo, niú yáng zhǎng de féi zhuàng.

Because the pasture is well managed, the cattle and sheep grow fat and strong.

现代畜牧业采用了高科技手段，提高了生产效率。

Xiàndài xùmùyè cǎiyòng le gāo kējì shǒuduàn, tígāo le shēngchǎn xiàolǜ.

Modern animal husbandry uses high-tech methods, improving production efficiency.

Related Characters

Component: 攵

Component: 牛

Example Words