The word 畜生 is formed through a straightforward conceptual combination of its two component characters. The first character, 畜 (chù), means "livestock" or "domesticated animal". The second, 生 (shēng), means "life" or "living creature". Combined literally, they mean "livestock" or "domesticated living animal". However, its formation as a single term leverages this literal meaning to create a potent metaphor; it is used as a vicious insult by comparing a person to a lowly, brute beast, implying they are devoid of reason, morality, or humanity. The power of the word comes from this direct figurative leap from the literal category of farm animals to a deeply contemptuous judgment of character.