Chinese · Nature & Environment
动物
dòngwù
Animal
Beginnernoun
Definition
A living creature such as a dog, bird, or fish.
Example
孩子们喜欢去动物园看动物。
Children like going to the zoo to see animals.
Etymology
The character '动物' (dòngwù) is a compound of '动' (dòng, meaning 'to move') and '物' (wù, meaning 'thing'), reflecting the essence of living creatures that move.
How & Where It’s Used
'动物' is formally and informally used in discussions about biology, nature, and conservation in both spoken and written forms.