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March 24, 2026
牛niú(Niu2)
The character 牛 (niú) refers to 'ox,' 'cow,' or 'bull' and is often used in agricultural contexts. Additionally, it can be employed colloquially to denote something as 'awesome' or 'fantastic,' making it versatile in both formal and informal conversations.
Strokes4Radical牛Frequency#1407DifficultyMedium
Cultural note
In Chinese culture, the ox is an important symbol of diligence and hard work, often featured in folklore and the zodiac. The Year of the Ox in the Chinese zodiac represents strength and perseverance.
Memory tip
Imagine a strong, sturdy ox plowing a field, representing the hardworking nature of this animal. The character 牛 resembles the horns of the ox, with the top stroke symbolizing its head, helping you remember 'niú' sounds like 'new' as in a new strength in agriculture.
Meanings of 牛
niú(Niu2)
1ox
2cow
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
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About 牛
牛Simplified
4Strokes
牛Radical
名形词xíngróngcíadj-noun (adj.-n.)Part of Speech
#1407Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L3ElementaryTOCFLL3HSKKL2CEFRA2
Podcast: 牛
Podcast: 牛
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AI study notes for 牛
Quick Contrast
牛 (niú) vs 羊 (yáng) — choose 牛 when referring specifically to cattle, while 羊 denotes sheep.
Usage Notes
Be cautious with the tonal pronunciation of niú (2nd tone) as it can easily be confused with other characters. In informal settings, you might hear 牛 used to compliment someone's skills or achievements, such as saying someone is 牛逼 (niú bī), meaning 'awesome' or 'impressive.'
HSK Study Tips
Although 牛 is not listed in the HSK vocabulary, it is a fundamental character that often appears in various contexts, including food and animal terminology. Students should focus on its usage in both literal and slang contexts to deepen understanding.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 牛 with other animal characters like 羊 or 马 (mǎ, horse). For instance, saying '我喜欢牛' (wǒ xǐhuān yáng) instead of '我喜欢牛' (wǒ xǐhuān niú) when referring to liking cows. Always double-check the character used.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 牛
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Learning Lab
Knowing 牛 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
The character 牛 (niú) refers to 'ox,' 'cow,' or 'bull' and is often used in agricultural contexts. Additionally, it can be employed colloquially to denote something as 'awesome' or 'fantastic,' making it versatile in both formal and informal conversations.
When to use 牛
Be cautious with the tonal pronunciation of niú (2nd tone) as it can easily be confused with other characters. In informal settings, you might hear 牛 used to compliment someone's skills or achievements, such as saying someone is 牛逼 (niú bī), meaning 'awesome' or 'impressive.'
牛 or something close to it
牛 (niú) vs 羊 (yáng) — choose 牛 when referring specifically to cattle, while 羊 denotes sheep.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 牛 with other animal characters like 羊 or 马 (mǎ, horse). For instance, saying '我喜欢牛' (wǒ xǐhuān yáng) instead of '我喜欢牛' (wǒ xǐhuān niú) when referring to liking cows. Always double-check the character used.
Write 牛
牛
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Practice writing 牛 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar patterns of 牛
牛 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 5 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.
Ms. Niu made a great suggestion at the meeting yesterday.
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Word Family of 牛
Compounds53
生shēngto be born
告gàoto tell
先xiānearly
解jiěsurname Xie
件jiànitem
牢láofirm
牵qiānto pull (an animal on a tether)
遥yáodistant
谣yáopopular ballad
犀xīrhinoceros; sharp, tempered
牟móuto profit, to usurp; moo
犁líto plow
犟jiàngstubborn
瑶yáoprecious jade
鳐yáothe nautilus; the ray
吽hōng
牽qiānto drag, to pull, to lead by the hand
傜yáo
徭yáoconscripted labor
愮yáo
牮jiànto prop up
犂líplow
犎fēngzebu; humped-ox
犛máo
犨chōu
犩wéi
犫chōu
猺yáo
窂láo
荦luòbrindled ox; tawny, variegated
謡yáo
鼄zhū
吿gào
榣yáo
汼niú
滛yín
熎yào
牪yàn
牶quàn
犇bēn
犖luò
犘má
犚wèi
瑤yáoprecious jade
磘yáo
窰yáo
謠yáorumor; folksong, ballad
遙yáodistant, remote
鈝yín
鎐yáo
鰩yáo
鴸zhū
鵇nián
Words containing this character20
牛niúox
牛奶niúnǎicow's milk
牛仔niúzǎicowboy
牛肉niúròubeef
牛排niúpáisteak
金牛座jīnniúzuòTaurus (constellation and sign of the zodiac)
牛仔裤niúzǎikùjeans牛仔褲
奶牛nǎiniúmilk cow
小牛xiǎoniúcalf
公牛gōngniúbull
吹牛chuīniúto talk big
斗牛dǒuniúBig Dipper and Altair (astronomy)
牛市niúshìbull market
牛皮niúpícowhide
牛津niújīnOxford (city in England)
水牛shuǐniúwater buffalo
蜗牛wōniúsnail蝸牛
犀牛xīniúrhinoceros
牛顿niúdùnNewton (name)牛頓
黄牛huángniúox黃牛
Exercise 1 of 4
Characters with 牛
What does 生 mean?
Frequently asked questions about 牛
牛 specifically refers to oxen, while characters like 羊 (yáng) refer to sheep. Each character highlights different aspects of agriculture in Chinese culture.
Yes, 牛 can be used in formal contexts when discussing livestock or agriculture, but its slang usage is typically reserved for informal conversations.
Context is key; if you're talking about cattle specifically, use 牛, but for other animals, you'll need to use their respective characters.
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