Meanings of 牯
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Podcast: 牯
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AI Study Notes for 牯
This term is primarily used in agricultural contexts and is not typically used in everyday conversation. Be cautious with the pronunciation, as misplacing the tone can lead to misunderstandings with similar-sounding words. Common collocations include 牯牛 (gǔ niú) meaning 'bullock' or 'steer.'
As this character is not included in the official HSK levels, focus on recognizing it in context, especially in texts related to farming or animal husbandry. It can be beneficial to connect it with other animal-related vocabulary at lower HSK levels.
Learners often confuse 牯 with 牛 (niú), leading to incorrect usage in sentences about cattle. For example, saying '我有一个牯' (Wǒ yǒu yīgè gǔ) instead of using '牛' if referring to cattle in general.
Pronunciation of 牯
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Etymology of 牯
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Origin
牯 = 牛 + 古. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 牯
Parts
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How to say cow, steer in Chinese
“cow, steer” in Chinese is牯
The character 牯 (gǔ) refers specifically to a male bovine, commonly translated as 'steer' or 'bullock.' It is primarily used in agricultural contexts and discussions about livestock, emphasizing its role in farming and animal husbandry.
When to use 牯
This term is primarily used in agricultural contexts and is not typically used in everyday conversation. Be cautious with the pronunciation, as misplacing the tone can lead to misunderstandings with similar-sounding words. Common collocations include 牯牛 (gǔ niú) meaning 'bullock' or 'steer.'
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 牯 with 牛 (niú), leading to incorrect usage in sentences about cattle. For example, saying '我有一个牯' (Wǒ yǒu yīgè gǔ) instead of using '牛' if referring to cattle in general.
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Word Family of 牯
Frequently Asked Questions about 牯
牯 specifically refers to a male bovine, while 牛 is a more general term for cattle, including both male and female.
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