📗 Beginner — frequent in early HSK exams
Meaning
Classifier for large animals, especially livestock like cattle, pigs, and elephants.
🏮 Cultural Story
中文 Chinese
牛用"一头牛"不是"一只牛"？因为"头"强调体型大！农场大家畜都用"头"。"一只大象"听起来像迷你宠物，"一头大象"才正确。"头"用在人身上带贬义："大头"(arrogant)。商业中"人头"(headcount)把人变数字。
English
Why "一头牛" not "一只牛"? **头** emphasizes BIG size! Farm livestock all use 头. "一只 elephant" sounds like a mini pet. 头 for people = negative ("big shot/arrogant"). Business "headcount" turns people into numbers.
💡 Memory Tip
头 is for big animals you'd see on a farm. Big animal = 头!
Examples
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Classifier for large animals, especially livestock like cattle, pigs, and elephants.