COMPONENTS & ETYMOLOGY
Understanding 牛
Detailed component breakdown coming soon
Use the stroke animation above to study the character’s complete form.
Traditional etymology note: An ox's horned head
More “niu” characters →Link copied to clipboard!
How to Write 牛 (niú) — Chinese Character Stroke Order, Meaning & Practice Sheet
ox
niúTone 2 (Rising)Pitch goes up like asking ‘What?’
Loading stroke data…
Loading handwriting practice…
Save or share this character guide
Link copied to clipboard!
STROKE BY STROKE
Static stroke diagrams
Follow all 4 strokes in the correct order.
Download PDF
StrokeSheetCharacter Writing Worksheet
niú
牛
ox
Common words
niú nǎi
牛奶
cow's milk
chuī niú
吹牛
to talk big; to shoot off one's mouth; to chat (dialect)
niú zǎi kù
牛仔裤
jeans
duì niú tán qín
对牛弹琴
lit. to play the lute to a cow (idiom); fig. offering a treat to an unappreciative audience; to cast pearls before swine; caviar to the general
niú
牛
ox; cow; bull; newton (abbr. for 牛頓|牛顿[niu2 dun4])
Follow the stroke order, then write it on your own.
牛
牛
牛
牛
牛
牛
牛
牛
LEARNING TIP
Remember 牛
Say “niú” aloud as you replay the animation. Then hide the model and write the 4 strokes from memory. Short, repeated practice builds a stronger visual and motor connection.
Practice on CanvasWORDS WITH 牛
Common words and phrases
niú nǎi
cow's milk
chuī niú
to talk big; to shoot off one's mouth; to chat (dialect)
niú zǎi kù
jeans
duì niú tán qín
lit. to play the lute to a cow (idiom); fig. offering a treat to an unappreciative audience; to cast pearls before swine; caviar to the general
niú
ox; cow; bull; newton (abbr. for 牛頓|牛顿[niu2 dun4])
IN CONTEXT
Example sentences
这个字是“牛”。
Zhège zì shì “niú”.
This character is “牛”.
我正在学习“牛”字。
Wǒ zhèngzài xuéxí “niú” zì.
I am learning the character “牛”.
请写一遍“牛”。
Qǐng xiě yí biàn “niú”.
Please write “牛” once.
Frequently asked questions
How many strokes are in 牛?
牛 is written with 4 strokes.
What does 牛 (niú) mean?
牛 (niú) means ox.
What is the radical of 牛?
The radical of 牛 is 牛, associated with Not yet classified.