牡 (mǔ) - Male (of animals) & masculine

牡Tone 3

mǔ ｜ 7 strokes ｜ radical: 牜

妙慕

牡 · mǔ

Male (of animals);

masculine;

a type of tree;

used in the name of the peony.

Male (of animals)masculinea type of tree

Usage highlights

PeonyMale animalMale and femaleBullMale birdMale horse

Synonyms

  • 雄— male (of animals or plants)
  • 公— male (common for animals)

Antonyms

  • 牝— female (of animals)
  • 雌— female (of animals or plants)
  • 母— female (common for animals)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The male bird (牡鸟) has brighter plumage.
  • The peony (牡丹) is known as the king of flowers.
  • The bull (牡牛) was strong and powerful.

Collocations

  • Peony(牡丹)
  • Male animal(牡兽)
  • Male and female(牡牝)
  • Bull(牡牛)
  • Male bird(牡鸟)
  • Male horse(牡马)

Idioms

  • The king of flowers, the peony(牡丹花王)
  • Male and female phoenix(牡凤)
  • Male and female, positive and negative(牡牝阴阳)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • The character originally referred to the male of animals, contrasting with 牝 (pìn, female).
  • 牡 is a key component in 牡丹 (mǔdān, peony), a flower deeply symbolic in Chinese culture representing wealth, honor, and prosperity.
  • In ancient Chinese philosophy, 牡 was associated with the masculine, active, and positive principle (yang).

FAQ