Definitions

shēng (noun) domestic animal; sacrificial animal

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "牲" is structurally composed of the semantic element "牛", denoting ox or cattle, and the phonetic element "生", which provides its pronunciation. Etymologically, it initially referred specifically to animals bred for sacrificial purposes in ritual contexts. Over time, its meaning expanded beyond ceremonial use to encompass domestic animals raised for agricultural work, food production, and other practical utilities, leading to its current application in terms such as "牲畜" for livestock.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 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 Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这些畜很可爱。

Zhèxiē shēngchù hěn kě'ài.

These livestock are very cute.

口在田里干活。

Shēngkou zài tián lǐ gànhuó.

The draught animals are working in the field.

他牺了休息时间。

Tā xīshēngle xiūxi shíjiān.

He sacrificed his rest time.

这些口需要充足的饲料。

Zhèxiē shēngkou xūyào chōngzú de sìliào.

These draught animals need sufficient fodder.

为了保护畜,他们建了围栏。

Wèile bǎohù shēngchù, tāmen jiànle wéilán.

In order to protect the livestock, they built a fence.

个人利益有时是必要的。

Xīshēng gèrén lìyì yǒushí shì bìyào de.

Sacrificing personal interests is sometimes necessary.

在古代,祭祀要用三

Zài gǔdài, jìsì yào yòng sānshēng.

In ancient times, sacrifices required three sacrificial animals.

他的牺精神值得我们学习。

Tā de xīshēng jīngshén zhídé wǒmen xuéxí.

His spirit of sacrifice is worth learning from.