nyuj
/ɲu˥˧/
The Hmong word for cow is nyuj.
nyuj is a noun used to refer to an adult female of the species Bos taurus.
Meaning: adult female of species Bos taurus (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
/ɲu˥˧/
Did you know?
- In traditional Hmong culture, livestock like nyuj are often central to ritual sacrifices and ancestral offerings during the New Year.
- The Hmong word nyuj shares an ancient ancestor with the Chinese word for 'cow', 牛, even though the sounds have shifted significantly over millennia.
- In some Hmong dialects, specific terms are used to distinguish between different ages and roles of the nyuj that do not have direct English equivalents.
Examples in context
- nyuj nqovThe cow bellowsThis sentence is useful for seeing how to use nyuj.
- Ib tug nyuj loj heev.A very big cow.
- Nws tau muag nws tus nyuj.He sold his cow.
Example conversation
Nao and Yee are visiting a farm.
- NaoYee, koj puas pom tus nyuj?Yee, do you see the cow?
- YeeAw, nws nyob ntawm qhov tsev.Yes, it is by the house.
- NaoNws yog ib tug nyuj zoo nkauj.It is a beautiful cow.
- YeeYog, nws zoo nkauj heev.Yes, it is very beautiful.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cow” translations and entries nyuj, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries nyuj, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
