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牲畜 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
牲畜shēngchùdomesticated animalsHSK 7, n, 19 strokes, rank #13561, Very Hard
牲畜shēngchùlivestockHSK 7, n, 19 strokes, rank #13561, Very Hard
shēngchù(sheng1chu4)sheng chu T1
  1. 1domesticated animals
  2. 2livestock
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March 24, 2026

牲畜shēngchù(sheng1chu4)

牲畜 refers to domesticated animals, particularly those raised for agricultural purposes, such as cattle, sheep, and pigs. It is often used in contexts related to farming, animal husbandry, and economic discussions about livestock production.

Strokes19Frequency#13561DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, 牲畜 has historical significance as livestock has been integral to agrarian societies, influencing festivals and traditional practices, like the Lunar New Year, where certain animals symbolize prosperity.

Memory Tip

Think of 牲 (sheng) as 'sacred' animals that are 'sacrificed' for human needs, and 畜 (chu) relates to 'herding' or 'raising' animals. Picture a farmer lovingly tending to his sacred herd of livestock to remember the pronunciation and meaning.

Meanings of 牲畜

shēngchù(sheng1chu4)
1domesticated animals
2livestock
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

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About 牲畜

牲畜Simplified
19Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#13561Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedBCT✓CEFRC2

Podcast: 牲畜

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Podcast: 牲畜

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AI Study Notes for 牲畜

Quick Contrast

家畜 (jiāchù) - use 牲畜 for a broader term including all domesticated animals, while 家畜 specifically refers to livestock raised for agricultural purposes.

Usage Notes

Common mistakes include using 牲畜 to refer to wild animals, which is incorrect. This term is used in a neutral to formal register, often found in agricultural discussions. Be mindful of tone when pronouncing it; mispronouncing the tones might lead to misunderstandings.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK Level 6 word, 牲畜 connects with other agricultural and economic vocabulary, like 农业 (nóngyè, agriculture) and 养殖 (yǎngzhí, aquaculture). Students should focus on its contextual usage in both written and spoken Mandarin.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 牲畜 with 宠物 (chǒngwù, pets), incorrectly using it to describe animals kept for companionship. The correct usage is strictly for farm animals.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 牲畜

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Component Characters

牲shēngdomestic animal
9 strokes牛
View full entry
畜chùto raise (animals)
10 strokes田
View full entry

How to say domesticated animals in Chinese

“domesticated animals” in Chinese is牲畜shēngchù

牲畜 refers to domesticated animals, particularly those raised for agricultural purposes, such as cattle, sheep, and pigs. It is often used in contexts related to farming, animal husbandry, and economic discussions about livestock production.

When to use 牲畜

Common mistakes include using 牲畜 to refer to wild animals, which is incorrect. This term is used in a neutral to formal register, often found in agricultural discussions. Be mindful of tone when pronouncing it; mispronouncing the tones might lead to misunderstandings.

牲畜 or something close to it

家畜 (jiāchù) - use 牲畜 for a broader term including all domesticated animals, while 家畜 specifically refers to livestock raised for agricultural purposes.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 牲畜 with 宠物 (chǒngwù, pets), incorrectly using it to describe animals kept for companionship. The correct usage is strictly for farm animals.

Write 牲畜

牲
畜

Practice writing 牲畜 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar Patterns of 牲畜

牲畜 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.

Exercise 1 of 4

Fill the gap

Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.

____已经喂好并关进厩里了。

The animals had been fed and stabled.

Example Sentences for 牲畜 (4)

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1
牲畜已经喂好并关进厩里了。

shēng xù yǐ jīng wèi hǎo bìng guān jìn jiù lǐ le。

The animals had been fed and stabled.
2
我们得先把这些牲畜赶过去.

wǒ mén dé xiān bǎ zhè xiē shēng xù gǎn guò qù.

We had to get these animals over beforehand.
3
这几口井继续为我们的牲畜提供足够的水.

zhè jī kǒu jǐng jì xù wéi wǒ mén de shēng xù tí gōng zú gòu de shuǐ.

These wells continue to provide us with enough water for our flocks.
4
役用犬能帮助农工驱赶牲畜到他们需要它们的方向.

yì yòng quǎn néng bāng zhù nóng gōng qū gǎn shēng xù dào tā mén xū yào tā mén de fāng xiàng.

Working dogs help ranchers drive animals where they want them to go.

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Frequently Asked Questions about 牲畜

You could say '这家农场养了很多牲畜' (This farm raises many livestock).

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