动物
Traditional: 動物
dòng wù HSK 3

English Meaning

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📚 Example Sentences

动物园很大。
Dòngwùyuán hěn dà.
The zoo is very big.
我喜欢动物。
Wǒ xǐhuan dòngwù.
I like animals.
动物很可爱。
Dòngwù hěn kě'ài.
Animals are very cute.
我喜欢动物。
Wǒ xǐhuān dòngwù.
I like animals.
动物很可爱。
Dòngwù hěn kě'ài.
Animals are very cute.

💡 Memory Tip

Remember 动物 by breaking it down: 动 (dòng) means 'to move,' and 物 (wù) means 'thing.' Think of it as a 'moving thing'—just like animals that move around, unlike stationary plants.

📝 Usage Notes

This word is neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, as well as in spoken and written Chinese. It is commonly used in everyday conversations, educational settings, and scientific discussions about animals.

📖 Grammar Points

As a noun, 动物 can function as a subject, object, or modifier in sentences. It is often used with measure words like 只 (zhī) or 头 (tóu) for counting animals, e.g., 一只动物 (yī zhī dòngwù, one animal). It can also be part of compound nouns, such as 动物学 (dòngwùxué, zoology).

🏯 Cultural Notes

In Chinese culture, animals often carry symbolic meanings, such as the dragon (龙) representing power or the panda (熊猫) as a national treasure. However, the word 动物 itself is neutral and does not imply specific cultural connotations unless combined with other terms.

🔄 Similar Words

Compared to 兽 (shòu), which specifically means 'beast' or 'mammal' and often implies larger or wild animals, 动物 is a broader, more general term encompassing all animals, including birds, fish, and insects. It differs from 宠物 (chǒngwù, pet), which refers specifically to domesticated animals kept for companionship.

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