Meanings of 羔
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About 羔
Podcast: 羔
Podcast: 羔
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AI Study Notes for 羔
羔 (lamb) vs 羊 (sheep) — use 羔 for young sheep specifically, while 羊 refers to the adult sheep.
While '羔' is more specific to lambs, it is important not to confuse it with '羊' (yáng), which refers to sheep in general. This character is more commonly used in formal contexts, especially in literature or menus, and learners should be mindful of using the correct tone to avoid misunderstandings.
Although 羔 is not part of the HSK vocabulary list, it is beneficial for learners at higher levels to understand agricultural terms like this. Focus on its usage in culinary contexts as well as its connection to other animal-related vocabulary.
Learners often confuse 羔 with 羊, mistakenly using 羊 when they specifically mean lamb, as in '我喜欢羊肉' (I like lamb meat), which should be corrected to '我喜欢羔肉' to specify lamb.
Pronunciation of 羔
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Etymology of 羔
Phonosemantic compound. 羊 represents the meaning and 灬 represents the sound.
sheep
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 羔
Phonosemantic compound. 羊 represents the meaning and 灬 represents the sound.
- 1The meaning half羊 carries the sense.
- 2The sound half灬 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
- 3The giveawaysheep
- 4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 羔? 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 羔
Identify the Components
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How to say lamb in Chinese
“lamb” in Chinese is羔
The character 羔 (gāo) specifically refers to a young sheep or lamb. It is commonly used in culinary contexts, especially in dishes that feature lamb meat, and can also appear in discussions surrounding agriculture and livestock.
When to use 羔
While '羔' is more specific to lambs, it is important not to confuse it with '羊' (yáng), which refers to sheep in general. This character is more commonly used in formal contexts, especially in literature or menus, and learners should be mindful of using the correct tone to avoid misunderstandings.
羔 or something close to it
羔 (lamb) vs 羊 (sheep) — use 羔 for young sheep specifically, while 羊 refers to the adult sheep.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 羔 with 羊, mistakenly using 羊 when they specifically mean lamb, as in '我喜欢羊肉' (I like lamb meat), which should be corrected to '我喜欢羔肉' to specify lamb.
Write 羔
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Practice writing 羔 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 羔
羔 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). The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Complete the Sentence
一只大野猫在捕杀了58只羊____后遭到猎捕。
A giant wildcat is being hunted after 58 lambs were butchered.
Example Sentences for 羔 (8)
Word Family of 羔
Compound Meaning
What does 羔羊 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 羔
No, 羔 is more frequently found in formal contexts or specific culinary discussions rather than in casual conversation.
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