(sān) - A three-year-old ox or bull & refers to a mature bovine animal.

Tone 1

sān | 15 strokes | radical:

· sān

A three-year-old ox or bull;

refers to a mature bovine animal.

A three-year-old ox or bullrefers to a mature bovine animal.

Usage highlights

ThreeStrength of an oxSacrificial oxMature bovineOx herding

Synonyms

  • cattle, ox, cow (general term)
  • yellow-black ox (another type of ox)
  • calf (young cattle)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The farmer raised a three-year-old ox (犙牛).
  • This type of cattle is known for its strength (犙牛之力).
  • Ancient texts mention sacrificial animals including the ox (祭祀用犙).

Collocations

  • Three-year-old ox(犙牛)
  • Strength of an ox(犙力)
  • Sacrificial ox(祭犙)
  • Mature bovine(壮犙)
  • Ox herding(牧犙)

Idioms

  • As strong as an ox(力大如犙)
  • Ox-like diligence(犙牛之勤)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Appears in classical Chinese texts describing livestock and sacrificial animals.
  • Reflects traditional Chinese agricultural society's classification of cattle by age.
  • Used in ancient rituals where specific age animals were required for ceremonies.

FAQ