About
The character "兽" derives from its traditional form "獸", which is composed of the component for "hunting tool" (㹜, representing dogs used in the hunt) combined with the element for "vessel" or "utensil" (吅 over 口, sometimes interpreted as representing a watchtower or a trap). This structure originally signified the act of hunting or capturing wild animals, reflecting its earliest use as a verb. Over time, the meaning shifted from the action itself to denote the objects of the hunt, the wild beasts or animals, solidifying its primary modern sense as a noun for non-domesticated creatures. The simplified form "兽" retains the essential top component from "單", a simplified form of a character historically associated with hunting tools, while placing it over the element "口", creating a more streamlined graphic representation of the same core concept.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
森林里有野兽。
兽医治疗生病动物。
动物园里有许多兽类。
猛兽通常生活在野外。
保护野生动物非常重要。
兽皮在古代被用作衣物。
人类与兽类共享这个星球。
科学家研究兽类的行为模式。