驯 (xùn) - to tame & to domesticate

驯Tone 4

xùn ｜ 6 strokes ｜ radical: 马

信嫣

驯 · xùn

to tame;

to domesticate;

to train;

docile;

tame;

gentle

to tameto domesticateto train

Usage highlights

to tameto domesticatedocile and kindtame and obedientwild becomes tameanimal training

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • 野— wild; untamed
  • 凶— fierce; ferocious
  • 暴— violent; brutal

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The trainer tamed the wild horse (驯服野马).
  • This is a domesticated animal (驯养动物).
  • He has a gentle temperament (性情驯良).
  • The lion was trained to perform tricks (被驯的狮子).

Collocations

  • to tame(驯服)
  • to domesticate(驯养)
  • docile and kind(驯良)
  • tame and obedient(驯顺)
  • wild becomes tame(野性驯)
  • animal training(驯兽)

Idioms

  • Tame the dragon and subdue the tiger(驯龙伏虎)
  • Like a tamed horse following the reins(驯如马随)
  • Gentle as a lamb(驯若羔羊)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • 驯 reflects ancient practices of domesticating animals for human use, especially horses in transportation and warfare.
  • In Confucian thought, '驯' extends metaphorically to cultivating moral character and bringing one's nature into harmony with virtue.
  • The character combines 'horse' (马) with 'river' (川), suggesting guiding a horse as smoothly as a river flows.

FAQ