牛 is a Chinese character with 4 strokes, radical 牛 (cow), HSK 1 on the new exam.
Etymology
Oracle-bone origin
The oracle-bone form of 牛 is a frontal view of an ox's head, showing two curved horns rising from a central face. It is one of the clearest surviving pictographs in the Chinese script, with the horns and snout rendered as a simple symmetrical outline.
Form evolution
Oracle-bone and bronze forms keep the two horns visible at the top. In seal script the horns tilt and the head stretches into a vertical shape, and by the clerical stage the curves are flattened into straight strokes. The modern 楷书 form preserves the slanted top stroke as a reminder of the original horns.
How the meaning evolved
The original sense of cattle or ox has remained stable for over three thousand years. It extended metaphorically to describe things that are stubborn, powerful, or impressively good, as in modern slang 牛 meaning awesome or badass.
Cultural note
The idiom 对牛弹琴 (playing the zither to an ox) means wasting effort on an audience that cannot appreciate it. Learners often confuse 牛 with 午 (noon); note that 牛 has a slanted top stroke crossing the vertical, while 午 does not cross.
Mnemonic
Horns on a head — an ox, a cow
Basic info
| Stroke count | 4 strokes |
| Radical | 牛 (#93: cow) |
| New HSK exam | Recognise at HSK 1 |
| Frequency | #788 most common |
Example sentences
我每天喝牛奶。
Wǒ měi tiān hē niúnǎi.
I drink milk every day.
From 牛奶 (HSK 1)
现在的年轻人都喜欢穿牛仔裤，既舒适又时尚。
Xiànzài de niánqīng rén dōu xǐhuan chuān niúzǎikù, jì shūshì yòu shíshàng.
Young people nowadays like to wear jeans - they're both comfortable and fashionable.
From 牛仔裤 (HSK 5)
他总是喜欢吹牛，说自己认识很多名人。
Tā zǒngshì xǐhuan chuīniú, shuō zìjǐ rènshi hěn duō míngrén.
He always likes to brag, saying he knows many celebrities.
From 吹牛 (HSK 7-9)
Words containing 牛
Related characters
On the new HSK 1 exam
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Reviewed by RJ Murray, Founder, HSK Lord.