Definitions
(noun)
ox; cow; bull
(adjective)
awesome
Etymology
Pictograph of the head of a cow.
About
The character "牛" originated as a pictographic representation of an ox's head, with its form gradually abstracting into the now-familiar four-stroke configuration that stylizes the animal's horns and facial features. This structural simplicity has allowed the character to maintain a consistent graphical identity over centuries, while its core meaning referring to the bovine animal has persistently anchored its usage. The term has however extended semantically through linguistic evolution, adopting metaphorical roles that draw on cultural associations with oxen, such as strength or obstinacy, observable in compounds like "牛脾气" for stubbornness or its application in "牛市" to describe a rising stock market. Additionally, it functions as a semantic component in various characters, often imparting connotations related to livestock or agriculture, as seen in "牲" for sacrifice or "犊" for calf, without undergoing significant alteration to its own basic form.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
牛奶很有营养。
我昨天吃了牛肉面。
妈妈买了一个牛油果。
这家餐厅的牛排很出名。
那个牛仔骑马的样子很帅。
早餐我想吃一个牛角包。
投资者都希望遇到牛市。
牧场里新出生的牛犊很健康。