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March 24, 2026
动物(動物)dòngwù(dong4wu4)
动物 (dòngwù) means 'animal' in Mandarin, encompassing all living creatures that are not human or plant. It is commonly used in contexts related to biology, wildlife, and pets, and can appear in both formal and informal conversations.
Frequency#1116DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, animals often symbolize various traits and are featured in folklore and zodiac signs. For instance, the Year of the Dog emphasizes loyalty, while the Year of the Tiger symbolizes bravery.
Memory Tip
Think of 动 (dòng) as 'moving' and 物 (wù) as 'thing.' Imagine animals moving around in nature, making them lively 'things.' The pronunciation 'dong4 wu4' sounds like 'dong' for the action of moving, which helps you remember that 动物 refers to living creatures.
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AI Study Notes for 动物
Quick Contrast
动物 (dòngwù) vs 生物 (shēngwù) — use 动物 for 'animal' specifically, while 生物 refers to 'living organisms' in a broader sense.
Memory Mnemonic
Think of 动 (dòng) as 'moving' and 物 (wù) as 'thing.' Imagine animals moving around in nature, making them lively 'things.' The pronunciation 'dong4 wu4' sounds like 'dong' for the action of moving, which helps you remember that 动物 refers to living creatures.
Usage Notes
Be careful with the pronunciation, as it can be confused with similar-sounding words. 动物 is generally neutral in tone but can be used in both formal and informal registers. Common collocations include 动物园 (dòngwùyuán - zoo) and 野生动物 (yěshēng dòngwù - wildlife).
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 3 word, 动物 connects to other vocabulary related to nature and the environment. Students should focus on using it in sentences about animals and practice collocations to enhance their fluency.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, animals often symbolize various traits and are featured in folklore and zodiac signs. For instance, the Year of the Dog emphasizes loyalty, while the Year of the Tiger symbolizes bravery.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 动物 with the word for 'thing' (东西, dōngxi), leading to incorrect phrases like '动物的东西' (dòngwù de dōngxi - 'animal things') instead of simply using 动物. Remember, 动物 specifically refers to animals.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 动物
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Grammar Patterns of 动物
动物 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 3 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
The man was a sadist who tortured animals and people.
9
很多人认为人类和其他动物截然不同。
hěn duō rén rèn wéi rén lèi hé qí tā dòng wù jié rán bù tóng。
Many people make a sharp distinction between humans and other animals.
10
我也认为如果伦敦动物园不复存在的话那真是太糟糕了。
wǒ yě rèn wéi rú guǒ lún dūn dòng wù yuán bù fù cún zài de huà nà zhēn shì tài zāo gāo le。
I agree that the demise of London zoo would be terrible.
Cultural Notes for 动物
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, animals often symbolize various traits and are featured in folklore and zodiac signs. For instance, the Year of the Dog emphasizes loyalty, while the Year of the Tiger symbolizes bravery.
Frequently Asked Questions about 动物
The common measure word for 动物 is 只 (zhī) when referring to individual animals.
Yes, 动物 can refer to pets, as well as wild animals.
