宠物

chǒng wù

house pet

HSK 5

Character Breakdown

Understanding 宠物 (chǒngwù)

宠物 refers specifically to animals kept at home for companionship or enjoyment, such as dogs, cats, birds, or fish. It combines , meaning "to love" or "to pamper," and , meaning "thing" or "creature," emphasizing the affectionate relationship between owner and animal.

Usage and Context

This word is commonly used in everyday conversation when talking about animals people keep as companions. It often appears in contexts related to pet care, pet shops, or discussing hobbies.

Common Collocations

These collocations highlight typical activities or places associated with pets.

Nuances and Tips

When using 宠物, the focus is on the affectionate and domestic aspect of the animal. It is not used for wild animals or livestock. Avoid confusing 宠物 with 生动 (wild animals) or (livestock).

Summary

宠物 is a practical and frequently used term for pets in Mandarin. Knowing its common collocations and contexts will help you talk naturally about animals kept at home.

Example Sentences

我家有一只宠物狗,它非常可爱。

Wǒ jiā yǒu yì zhī chǒngwù gǒu, tā fēicháng kě'ài.

My family has a pet dog; it is very cute.

养宠物可以让人感到快乐和陪伴。

Yǎng chǒngwù kěyǐ ràng rén gǎndào kuàilè hé péibàn.

Having pets can make people feel happy and accompanied.

宠物店里有各种各样的宠物,比如猫、鸟和鱼。

Chǒngwù diàn lǐ yǒu gè zhǒng gè yàng de chǒngwù, bǐrú māo, niǎo hé yú.

The pet store has all kinds of pets, such as cats, birds, and fish.