Meanings of 宠物
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 宠物
Podcast: 宠物
Podcast: 宠物
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 宠物
宠物 (chǒngwù) vs 动物 (dòngwù) — use 宠物 when specifically referring to pets, while 动物 is a broader term for any animal.
Imagine a 'charming' pet that brings joy to your home. The character 宠 (chǒng) looks like a person giving affection to an animal, while 物 (wù) indicates objects or things, highlighting that pets are beloved 'things' in our lives.
Be cautious with the tone when pronouncing 宠 (chǒng) as a third tone and 物 (wù) as a fourth tone, as mixing them up can change the meaning. This term is informal and commonly used in everyday conversations, often paired with adjectives like 'cute' (可爱) or 'loyal' (忠诚).
As an HSK Level 5 word, 宠物 connects with other vocabulary related to animals and household items. Focus on using it in sentences describing your own pets or discussing pet care, which can enhance your conversational skills.
In Chinese culture, pets are increasingly popular, especially in urban areas, as symbols of companionship and emotional support. The rising trend of pet ownership reflects changing social values and lifestyles.
Learners often confuse 宠物 with the word for 'animal' (动物, dòngwù) and mistakenly use it to refer to non-pet animals. For example, saying '我有很多宠物' (I have many pets) when referring to farm animals is incorrect; use 宠物 only for domestic companions.
Pronunciation of 宠物
Drill the tone of 宠物 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Component Characters
Write 宠物
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 宠物 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 宠物
宠物 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). The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Complete the Sentence
要确保不在家时____不会想你。
Make sure your pet won't pine while you're away.
Example Sentences for 宠物 (6)
Cultural Notes for 宠物
In Chinese culture, pets are increasingly popular, especially in urban areas, as symbols of companionship and emotional support. The rising trend of pet ownership reflects changing social values and lifestyles.
While pets are valued in both Chinese and Western cultures, the concept of treating pets like family members is more pronounced in Western societies, where pets often enjoy lavish lifestyles.
Frequently Asked Questions about 宠物
Common pets include dogs, cats, rabbits, birds, and even reptiles.