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    Chinese Grammar

    Using 羊 (yáng) to express "sheep"

    Description & Modification

    Structure

    Numeral + 只 + 羊

    Explanation

    羊 (yáng) means "sheep" or "goat" and is one of the most common animal words in Chinese. It appears frequently in fables, idioms, and everyday language, and the specific type (sheep vs. goat) is often clarified by context or compound words like 绵羊 (sheep) or 山羊 (goat).

    Examples

    • 山坡上有一群羊在吃草。

      shānpō shàng yǒu yī qún yáng zài chī cǎo.

      There is a flock of sheep grazing on the hillside.

    • 这只小羊刚出生三天。

      zhè zhī xiǎo yáng gāng chūshēng sān tiān.

      This little lamb was born just three days ago.

    • 他小时候每天放学后都要去放羊。

      tā xiǎoshíhòu měitiān fàngxué hòu dōu yào qù fàng yáng.

      When he was little, he had to go herd sheep every day after school.

    Using 羊 (yáng) to express "sheep" | Chinese Grammar