动物
dòngwù
The Chinese word for animal is 动物 (dòngwù).
动物 is used to refer to organisms other than humans. In biological or scientific contexts, it is the term used to refer to the kingdom Animalia. While 动物 is the standard term, the related term 兽 carries a connotation closer to the English word "beast".
Meaning: organism other than human (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word 动物 is composed of 动 (dòng), meaning "to move" and 物 (wù), meaning "thing" or "matter".
How does it change in a sentence?
动物 is a classifier-neutral noun and does not change its form to indicate plurality.
How do you pronounce it?
dòngwù
Did you know?
- The term 禽兽 (qínshòu), combining 'bird' and 'beast', is used as a severe insult to describe a person who has committed a cruel or immoral act.
- In traditional Chinese culture, the 'Twelve Zodiac Animals' are referred to as 生肖 (shēngxiào), a term that describes a spiritual cycle rather than just a list of 动物.
- When talking about pets specifically, people often prefer terms like 宠物 (chǒngwù), which literally means 'spoiled thing' rather than just 'animal'.
Examples in context
- 我爱听有关动物的笑话。I love animal jokes.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use 动物 in the context of jokes.Tatoeba #5763007 by verdastelo9604, translation #7901652 by shekitten
- 人类是唯一彼此交谈的动物。Man is the only animal that talks.This sentence shows how to use 动物 when comparing humans to other animals.Tatoeba #4844730 by sadhen, translation #270323 by CM
- 人类是唯一能够彼此交谈的动物。Man is the only animal that can talk.This sentence demonstrates the use of 动物 regarding the ability to communicate.Tatoeba #4844733 by sadhen, translation #270324 by CM
- 我们应该保护动物的生态环境。We should protect the ecological environment of animals.
- 野生动物需要我们的关爱和保护。Wildlife needs our care and protection.
- 我家养了很多宠物动物。I have many pet animals at home.
- 你看，那只小兽在树上跳来跳去。Look, that little animal is hopping around in the tree.
- 猫在睡觉The cat is sleeping
- 17 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about a documentary at a cafe.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen你觉得这个纪录片怎么样？Nǐ juédé zhège jìlùpiàn zěnmeyàng?What do you think of this documentary?
- 俊杰 Junjie里面有很多神奇的动物。Lǐmiàn yǒu hěnduō shénqí de dòngwù.There are many amazing animals in it.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen没错，很有意思。Méi cuò, hěn yǒuyìsi.That's true, it's very interesting.
- 俊杰 Junjie我想再去一次动物园。Wǒ xiǎng zài qù yīcì dòngwùyuán.I want to go to the zoo again.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
