Meaning
水牛 refers to the water buffalo, a large domesticated bovine commonly found in Asia. These animals are traditionally used for farm work, especially plowing rice paddies, and are well-adapted to wet environments. The term literally means 'water ox,' reflecting the animal's preference for wallowing in water and working in flooded fields.
Usage
This word is used to refer specifically to water buffalo, as opposed to 黄牛 (huáng niú, cattle/ox). In rural and agricultural contexts, 水牛 is commonly mentioned when discussing traditional farming methods in southern China and Southeast Asia. The term can appear in both literal contexts (the actual animal) and occasionally in cultural references about rural life.
Examples
- 01农民赶着水牛在稻田里犁地。.The farmer drove the water buffalo to plow the rice field.
- 02这头水牛很温顺，从来不伤人。, .This water buffalo is very docile and never hurts people.
Characters
Measure words
- 头一头水牛
- 只几只水牛
Common collocations
- 水牛角water buffalo horn
- 养水牛to raise water buffalo
- 水牛奶water buffalo milk
Origin
The compound combines 水 (water) and 牛 (ox/cattle) to describe this bovine species that thrives in aquatic environments and is traditionally used in wet rice cultivation.