牧 (mù) - to herd, to tend livestock & herdsman, pastor

牧Tone 4

mù ｜ 8 strokes ｜ radical: 牜

妙慕

牧 · mù

to herd, to tend livestock;

herdsman, pastor;

to govern, to manage.

to herd, to tend livestockherdsman, pastorto govern, to manage.

Usage highlights

HerdingPastorPastureAnimal husbandryShepherdHerdsman

Synonyms

  • 放— to release, to put out to pasture
  • 养— to raise, to rear

Antonyms

  • 猎— to hunt (as opposed to herding)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He herds sheep (牧羊).
  • The pastor leads the church (牧师).
  • This is pastureland (牧场).
  • Animal husbandry is important (畜牧业).

Collocations

  • Herding(放牧)
  • Pastor(牧师)
  • Pasture(牧场)
  • Animal husbandry(畜牧业)
  • Shepherd(牧羊人)
  • Herdsman(牧民)

Idioms

  • To herd sheep while reading(牧豕听经)
  • To herd cattle while reading(牧犊采薪)
  • The Shepherd Boy and the Weaver Girl(牛郎织女)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Originated from the concept of tending livestock, a fundamental activity in ancient agrarian societies.
  • Extended meaning to include spiritual guidance, as in 'pastor' (牧师).
  • Associated with nomadic and pastoral cultures in Chinese history.

FAQ