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March 24, 2026
牲shēng(sheng1)
The character 牲 (shēng) refers to domestic animals, particularly those that are raised for agricultural purposes, such as livestock. It can also specifically denote sacrificial animals used in religious or cultural ceremonies. In contexts like farming or traditional rituals, understanding this character is essential for discussing animal husbandry or cultural practices in China.
Strokes9Radical牛Frequency#7934DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, 牲 is significant during festivals and ceremonies, such as the Spring Festival or ancestor worship, where animals are often sacrificed to honor deities or ancestors. This reflects the deep-rooted agricultural traditions and the importance of animals in Chinese society.
Memory Tip
Imagine a 'sheep' (similar sound to shēng) standing in a field, representing both domestic animals and sacrificial animals. The top part of the character resembles a roof, suggesting a barn where these animals are kept, while the bottom part can remind you of 'life' being taken in sacrificial contexts.
Meanings of 牲
shēng(sheng1)
1domestic animal
2sacrificial animal
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 牲
牲Simplified
9Strokes
牛Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#7934Frequency Rank
Podcast: 牲
Podcast: 牲
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AI Study Notes for 牲
Quick Contrast
牲 (shēng) vs 家畜 (jiāchù) — use 牲 for sacrificial animals or in cultural contexts, while 家畜 refers specifically to domesticated livestock.
Usage Notes
In usage, 牲 is typically found in more formal contexts, especially when discussing agriculture or religious practices. Common collocations include 牲畜 (shēngchù - livestock) and 祭牲 (jìshēng - sacrificial animal). Learners should be cautious with tones, as mispronouncing shēng can lead to confusion with other similar-sounding words.
HSK Study Tips
Though not part of the HSK levels, 牲 connects with vocabulary relating to animals, agriculture, and rituals. Students should focus on related words like 动物 (dòngwù - animal) and 祭祀 (jìsì - sacrifice) to build a thematic understanding of this character.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 牲 with similar characters like 生 (shēng - life) due to their phonetic similarity. It's important to remember that 牲 specifically relates to animals, while 生 has broader meanings associated with life and birth.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 牲
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Phonosemantic compound. 牛 represents the meaning and 生 represents the sound.
1The meaning half牛 carries the sense.
2The sound half生 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
3The giveawayox
4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 牲? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 牲?
Decomposition of 牲
IDS Structure⿰牛生
牲Full Character
=
牛Niu2
left
生sheng1
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 牲?
How to say domestic animal in Chinese
“domestic animal” in Chinese is牲shēng
The character 牲 (shēng) refers to domestic animals, particularly those that are raised for agricultural purposes, such as livestock. It can also specifically denote sacrificial animals used in religious or cultural ceremonies. In contexts like farming or traditional rituals, understanding this character is essential for discussing animal husbandry or cultural practices in China.
When to use 牲
In usage, 牲 is typically found in more formal contexts, especially when discussing agriculture or religious practices. Common collocations include 牲畜 (shēngchù - livestock) and 祭牲 (jìshēng - sacrificial animal). Learners should be cautious with tones, as mispronouncing shēng can lead to confusion with other similar-sounding words.
牲 or something close to it
牲 (shēng) vs 家畜 (jiāchù) — use 牲 for sacrificial animals or in cultural contexts, while 家畜 refers specifically to domesticated livestock.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 牲 with similar characters like 生 (shēng - life) due to their phonetic similarity. It's important to remember that 牲 specifically relates to animals, while 生 has broader meanings associated with life and birth.
Write 牲
牲
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Practice writing 牲 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 牲
牲 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
