Meanings of 牝
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About 牝
Podcast: 牝
Podcast: 牝
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AI Study Notes for 牝
While '牝' is an important term in specific contexts, it is not commonly used in everyday conversation. Learners should be cautious not to confuse it with '公' (gōng), which means male, especially in discussions about animals. It's more likely to appear in formal writings or veterinary contexts.
Although 牝 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, understanding it can enhance your knowledge of animal-related terms, especially those that differentiate between genders. Focus on memorizing the radicals and components to better grasp its meaning.
Learners often confuse 牝 with 牦 (máo), which refers to a specific type of yak. Remember that 牝 is specifically about female animals, while 牦 relates to a specific breed.
Pronunciation of 牝
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Etymology of 牝
cow
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 牝
- 1The meaning half牛 carries the sense.
- 2The sound half匕 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
- 3The giveawaycow
- 4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 牝? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.Character Formation Type
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Decomposition of 牝
Identify the Components
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How to say female animal; keyhole; valley in Chinese
“female animal; keyhole; valley” in Chinese is牝
The character 牝 (pìn) refers primarily to a female animal, particularly in the context of livestock or domesticated species. It can also denote a keyhole or a valley, reflecting its use in specific contexts related to geography or mechanics. This character is often encountered in more specialized discussions regarding animals or in literary contexts.
When to use 牝
While '牝' is an important term in specific contexts, it is not commonly used in everyday conversation. Learners should be cautious not to confuse it with '公' (gōng), which means male, especially in discussions about animals. It's more likely to appear in formal writings or veterinary contexts.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 牝 with 牦 (máo), which refers to a specific type of yak. Remember that 牝 is specifically about female animals, while 牦 relates to a specific breed.
Write 牝
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Practice writing 牝 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Word Family of 牝
Compound Meaning
What does 牝 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 牝
Commonly, you'll find it used in terms related to livestock and animal husbandry, but it’s not as frequently seen in everyday vocabulary.
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