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    Chinese Grammar

    Referring to 'the Cowherd' with 牛郎 (niúláng)

    Description & Modification
    Topic & Focus

    Structure

    牛郎 + Name

    Explanation

    The noun 牛郎 (niúláng) literally means 'cowherd' and most famously refers to the Cowherd in the classic Chinese folk tale of the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl (牛郎织女). It is a culturally significant term associated with the Qixi Festival. The word can also be used generically to mean a boy who herds cattle.

    Examples

    • 牛郎和织女的故事,中国人从小就听过。

      niúláng hé zhīnǚ de gùshi, zhōngguó rén cóng xiǎo jiù tīng guò.

      Chinese people have heard the story of the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl since childhood.

    • 每年七夕,人们都会想起牛郎织女的传说。

      měi nián qīxī, rénmen dōu huì xiǎngqǐ niúláng zhīnǚ de chuánshuō.

      Every year on Qixi, people think of the legend of the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl.

    • 小时候爷爷常给我讲牛郎放牛的故事。

      xiǎoshíhou yéye cháng gěi wǒ jiǎng niúláng fàng niú de gùshi.

      When I was little, Grandpa often told me the story of the Cowherd herding cattle.

    Referring to 'the Cowherd' with 牛郎 (niúláng) | Chinese Grammar