About
The character 牧, from its earliest forms, is a semantic compound whose structure directly illustrates its original meaning. It combines the component for an ox or cow (牛) on the left with a component on the right depicting a hand holding a stick or tool (攴), which was later stylized. This composition explicitly denotes the action of driving or tending cattle, representing the work of a herdsman or shepherd. Over time, its application broadened from the specific management of livestock to encompass more general concepts of cultivation, nurture, and even rulership, as seen in classical terms where governing people was metaphorically likened to herding. The character’s form has remained largely consistent, and its core idea of guiding and overseeing, derived from its pictorial logic, has been maintained throughout its history.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
牧民牧羊很辛苦。
牧童骑在牛背上。
这片牧场非常广阔。
牧师在教堂讲道。
春天来了，牧民开始放牧。
每天清晨，他都会去牧场检查。
因为牧场管理得好，牛羊长得肥壮。
现代畜牧业采用了高科技手段，提高了生产效率。