How to Say "Ox" in Chinese - How To Say Guide

公牛

gōngniú

In Chinese, the English phrase "ox" is translated as 公牛 (gōngniú).

公牛 refers specifically to an adult castrated male of cattle. Note that the broader term 牛 can be used to refer to both an ox and a cow.

Meaning: an adult castrated male of cattle (noun)

What does it mean word for word?

The term 公牛 is composed of 公, meaning male and 牛, meaning cow or cattle.

While 公牛 refers specifically to a male ox, 母牛 is used to refer to a female cow.

gōngniú

In modern Chinese internet slang, the character 牛 is often used alone to mean 'awesome' or 'capable', such as in the phrase 太牛了 (tài niú le).
If someone says you are 'bragging' or 'showing off' in a certain context, they might use the term 吹牛 (chuī niú), which literally means 'to blow the ox'.
The character 牛 is a pictograph, meaning its ancient form was a direct drawing of an ox's head with its horns.

朱庇特能做的，公牛做不得。
What is permitted to Jove is not permitted to an ox.
This sentence shows a comparison of what is permitted for different subjects using 公牛.
Tatoeba #7781697 by jiangche, translation #3847638 by Balamax
當母牛飛得高, 公牛飛得低, 就有可能是一個龍捲風。
When the cow flies high and the ox flies low, there probably is a twister.
This sentence uses 公牛 within a metaphorical or proverbial context regarding weather.
Tatoeba #790731 by Martha, translation #414384 by MUIRIEL
在中国农村，牛是重要的农耕动物。
Rural oxen are important animals for farming in China.

Junjie and Xiaowen are visiting a farm.

俊杰 Junjie

看那邊，那是一頭公牛嗎？
Kàn nàbiān, nà shì yī tóu gōngniú ma?
Look over there, is that an ox?
晓雯 Xiaowen

是的，它在吃草。
Shì de, tā zài chī cǎo.
Yes, it is eating grass.
俊杰 Junjie

這頭公牛看起來好溫順。
Zhè tóu gōngniú kàn qǐlái hǎo wēnshùn.
This ox looks very gentle.
晓雯 Xiaowen

沒錯，它很友好。
Méi cuò, tā hěn yǒuhǎo.
Exactly, it is very friendly.

Sources

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