牛

Pinyin: niú | Core Meaning: ox, cow, cattle; a common domesticated animal, generally referring to bovines with horns.

基本信息 (Basic Information)

含义与用法 (Meanings & Usage)

中文核心释义 (Core Chinese Meaning): 牛，一种常见的家畜，常指黄牛，泛指有角的反刍动物。

英文核心释义 (Core English Meaning): ox, cow, cattle; a common domesticated animal, generally referring to bovines with horns.

“牛”常指四足有角的反刍动物，在现代日常口语中除了指动物本身，也用于形容某人很厉害、能力突出（比如“你很牛”），是一种流行的褒义用法。 In modern Chinese, '牛' primarily refers to cattle or oxen, but in spoken language, it is also used metaphorically to describe someone as very capable or awesome (e.g., “你很牛” means 'You’re amazing'). This is a popular and positive slang usage.

象形意义 / 为何这么写 (Pictographic Meaning / Writing Rationale)

“牛”字是典型的象形字，上方的两点表示牛角，下方结构表现牛头和脸部。整体造型模仿牛的正面形象，因此以象形手法表现牛这一动物。The character '牛' is a prototypical pictograph. The two dots at the top symbolize the horns, and the lower structure represents the head and face of the ox. The overall form mimics the frontal view of a cow, using pictographic techniques to represent the animal.

文言文释义 (Classical Chinese Meaning)

与现代意义相近，主要指牛这种动物，有时也借指勤劳、强壮等品性。Similar to modern meaning, primarily referring to the animal 'ox/cow', and sometimes used metaphorically for diligence or strength.

深入学习 (In-depth Study)

字源故事 (Origin Story)

“牛”字最早见于甲骨文，其字形就像一头牛的侧面，有突出的牛角和牛头。后来随着字体演变，字形变得更规范，但仍然保留了牛的主要特征。The character '牛' first appeared in oracle bone script. The ancient form resembles the side profile of an ox, emphasizing its prominent horns and head. As the writing system evolved, the character became more standardized but retained key features symbolizing a cow or ox.

字形演变 (Character Evolution)

甲骨文 (Oracle Bone Script):
甲骨文中的“牛”字像一头有大角的牛的侧面，画出牛头、牛角和躯干，极具象形特征。 In oracle bone script, '牛' resembled the side profile of an ox with large horns, head, and body drawn, demonstrating strong pictographic qualities.
金文 (Bronze Inscription):
金文中“牛”，形体比甲骨文更圆润，牛角更突出，整体结构更平衡。 '牛' in bronze inscription script became rounder and more balanced than the oracle bone form, with even more prominent horns.
小篆 (Small Seal Script):
小篆的“牛”字结构变得更加统一，牛角和牛头的轮廓被简化，但依然保留牛角的形象。 In small seal script, the '牛' character became more unified in structure, with the outline of horns and head simplified but still recognizable.
隶书 (Clerical Script):
隶书中“牛”趋向平直，笔画分明，牛角变为两个点，形体更为方正。 In clerical script, '牛' adopted straighter lines and clearly distinguished strokes; the horns were represented by two dots, and the form became more square.
楷书 (现代) (Regular Script (Modern)):
现代楷书中的“牛”，结构简明，左右对称，上部为两点，代表牛角，下部为牛头与身体。 In modern regular script, '牛' has a concise, symmetrical structure: the two dots at the top represent the horns, while the lower part represents the head and body.

常用词语和例句 (Common Words & Examples)

水牛 (water buffalo)

shuǐniú

在南方农村，人们常用水牛耕田。

Pinyin: Zài nánfāng nóngcūn, rénmen cháng yòng shuǐniú gēngtián.

Eng: In the rural areas of southern China, people often use water buffaloes to plow the fields.

牛奶 (milk (cow's milk))

niúnǎi

每天早上喝一杯牛奶对身体有益。

Pinyin: Měitiān zǎoshang hē yì bēi niúnǎi duì shēntǐ yǒuyì.

Eng: Drinking a glass of milk every morning is good for your health.

牛肉 (beef)

niúròu

我最喜欢吃牛肉面。

Pinyin: Wǒ zuì xǐhuan chī niúròu miàn.

Eng: My favorite is beef noodles.

牛仔 (cowboy; jeans (refers to 'cowboy' as person, but in compounds like '牛仔裤' means jeans))

niúzǎi

他穿着牛仔裤看起来很帅。

Pinyin: Tā chuānzhe niúzǎikù kàn qǐlái hěn shuài.

Eng: He looks handsome in jeans.

相关成语 (Related Idioms)

对牛弹琴 duì niú tán qín

Meaning: To play the lute to a cow (to address the wrong audience, to waste good things on an unappreciative audience)

古代有个人喜欢弹琴，他有一天对着一头牛弹了一首名曲，但牛根本不为所动。这个成语用来比喻对不懂道理的人讲道理，徒劳无功。 In ancient times, a man enjoyed playing the lute. One day, he played a famous tune in front of a cow, but the cow was unmoved. This idiom means to speak to the wrong audience—the effort is wasted because the listener cannot appreciate or understand.

多语言翻译 (核心释义) (Translations (Core Meaning))

  • French: bœuf, vache
  • German: Rind, Kuh, Ochse
  • Spanish: buey, vaca
  • Italian: bue, mucca
  • Portuguese: boi, vaca
  • Russian: бык, корова
  • Arabic: ثَوْر، بقرة
  • Persian: گاو
  • Dutch: rund, koe, os
  • Polish: bydło, krowa, wół
  • Vietnamese: bò, bò cái
  • Ukrainian: віл, корова

视频学习资源 (Video Learning Resources)

通过以下链接在热门视频网站搜索 "牛" 的更多讲解：

Search for more explanations of "牛" on popular video sites:

网络参考 (Web References for "牛") ()

网络内容摘要 (Web Content Summary):

牛（niú）是一个典型的象形汉字，其字形最初来源于牛的头部形象。最早在甲骨文和金文中，"牛"字像一只牛的头和角，属于象形字。 牛 (niú) is a typical pictographic Chinese character. Its earliest forms in oracle bone script and bronze inscriptions resembled the head and horns of a cow, making it a pictograph.

  • "牛"在古代也作为氏族的图腾，具有文化崇拜的意义。 In ancient times, "牛" also served as a clan totem, carrying cultural and religious significance.

  • 常用词含义主要为“cow”或“ox”，但在口语中，有时用“牛”形容某人很厉害或了不起，如“你很牛！” Its basic meaning is “cow” or “ox,” but in modern slang, "牛" can also mean someone is very awesome or impressive, for example: “你很牛！” ("You're awesome!").

  • 常见的相关成语有“对牛弹琴”（对不懂道理的人讲理），提醒学习者注意字面与比喻义的区别。 A common idiom is “对牛弹琴” (to play the lute to a cow), which means to reason with someone who does not understand or appreciate.

提示：牛与“午”（wǔ，“中午”的“午”）在字形上有区别，学习时应注意辨认。 Tip: "牛" should not be confused with "午" (wǔ, as in “noon”), which looks different but may appear similar to beginners.

汉字"牛"的起源、演变过程-汉字字源辞典

汉字字源辞典收录686条汉字词条，基本涵盖了常见汉字的字源解析，是汉字研究的必备工具。 ... 牛 niú 甲骨文； 金文； 小篆； 隶书 "牛"字最初就是一幅牛头图画，后人管它叫族徽文字，所谓族徽文字就是原始部落氏族所崇拜的图腾符号。 ...

牛字形演变字源_汉字「牛」_牛的甲骨文_牛的金文_金文编_甲骨文编

金文第一例牛頭之形最具體，顯據具體的實象造字，六書中屬於象形。 餘如甲文、金文第二例、戰國文字第二例都以線條表現，上像牛的頭、角，下像其面，合乎象形所謂「畫成其物」的定義。

更多图片 (牛 More Images) ()

牛 - 更多图片 (More Images) (modelslab_artistic_v2)