verb HSK 5
to herd sheep · to tend sheep · shepherding
Meaning
牧羊 means to herd or tend sheep, referring to the activity of watching over and caring for sheep as they graze. It's both a traditional occupation and a cultural reference in Chinese literature and idioms.
Usage
This word is used in both literal contexts (describing actual shepherding) and figurative/literary contexts. It commonly appears in compounds like 牧羊人 (shepherd) and 牧羊犬 (sheepdog). While not everyday vocabulary for urban speakers, it's well-known through cultural references and pastoral imagery.
Examples
- 01他每天都在山坡上牧羊。.He herds sheep on the hillside every day.
- 02古代许多民族都以牧羊为生。.Many ancient peoples made their living by herding sheep.
Characters
Common collocations
- 牧羊人shepherd
- 牧羊犬sheepdog
- 牧羊女shepherdess
Origin
牧 originally depicted a hand holding a whip or staff to control animals, representing the act of herding. Combined with 羊 (sheep), it specifically denotes sheep herding, one of humanity's oldest occupations.