A pet is an animal kept primarily for companionship rather than utility.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Refers to animals kept for companionship and pleasure.
- Commonly used with the verb 'to raise' (养).
- Often considered a part of the family.
常见语境：在谈论生活方式、家庭成员或闲暇活动时经常提到。例如，“你养宠物吗？”是社交中常见的询问方式。在城市社区中，宠物公园、宠物店等设施非常普遍，反映了宠物在都市生活中的地位。
- 1近义词辨析：与“家畜（livestock）”不同，家畜通常指为了经济利益（如肉、蛋、皮毛）而饲养的动物，而宠物主要提供情感价值。虽然有些动物既可以是家畜也可以是宠物（如猪），但语境决定了称呼的选择。相比之下，“动物（animal）”是一个更广泛的范畴，涵盖了所有生物学意义上的动物，而“宠物”特指与人类有亲密互动关系的个体。
Examples
我家里养了一只宠物狗。
everydayI keep a pet dog at home.
该社区规定禁止饲养大型宠物。
formalThe community regulations prohibit keeping large pets.
我的猫是我的好朋友，也是我的宠物。
informalMy cat is my good friend and also my pet.
城市化进程影响了居民饲养宠物的习惯。
academicThe process of urbanization has influenced residents' habits of keeping pets.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
宠物食品
pet food
宠物美容
pet grooming
领养宠物
to adopt a pet
Often Confused With
Refers specifically to farm animals raised for production, whereas pets are for companionship.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
The term is neutral and widely used. It is appropriate in both casual and formal settings. Always use the classifier '只' when counting pets.
Common Mistakes
Beginners sometimes use '有' (have) instead of '养' (raise) when talking about pets. While '我有宠物' is grammatically correct, '我养宠物' is more natural. Also, do not use '宠物' for animals in the wild.
Tips
Use the verb 养
Always pair '宠物' with the verb '养' (to raise/keep). You can say '我养了一只宠物狗'.
Don't confuse with livestock
Avoid using '宠物' for farm animals like cows or chickens. Those are typically referred to as '家畜'.
The term '毛孩子'
Younger generations often call their pets '毛孩子' (furry children). It highlights the anthropomorphic bond between owners and pets.
Word Origin
The character '宠' originally meant to favor or spoil someone. Over time, it evolved to include the animals that people favor and keep in their homes.
Cultural Context
In modern Chinese cities, pet ownership has surged. Pets are increasingly seen as family members, leading to a booming pet economy including specialized food, grooming, and medical services.
Memory Tip
Think of '宠' as 'roof' (宀) over 'dragon' (龙) - a creature you cherish under your roof. A 'pet' is a creature you cherish in your home.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions“养宠物”侧重于情感交流和陪伴，而“饲养动物”范围更广，可能包括为了经济目的养殖家禽或家畜。
最常用的是“只”，例如“一只狗”或“一只猫”。在更正式或文学的语境下，也可以使用“条”来指代狗。
是的，猫和狗是目前中国最常见的宠物类型。除此之外，兔子、仓鼠和观赏鱼也常被称为宠物。
在现代口语中，很多人会戏称自己的宠物为“毛孩子”，这表达了主人对宠物深厚的感情。
Test Yourself
我非常喜欢小动物，所以我在家里___了一只宠物猫。
在中文中，饲养宠物使用动词“养”。
以下哪种动物通常被视为宠物？
金毛犬是常见的家养伴侣动物，符合宠物定义。
这/可爱/宠物/是/的/我/的
标准的中文主谓宾结构，形容词放在名词前。
Score: /3
Summary
A pet is an animal kept primarily for companionship rather than utility.
- Refers to animals kept for companionship and pleasure.
- Commonly used with the verb 'to raise' (养).
- Often considered a part of the family.
Use the verb 养
Always pair '宠物' with the verb '养' (to raise/keep). You can say '我养了一只宠物狗'.
Don't confuse with livestock
Avoid using '宠物' for farm animals like cows or chickens. Those are typically referred to as '家畜'.
The term '毛孩子'
Younger generations often call their pets '毛孩子' (furry children). It highlights the anthropomorphic bond between owners and pets.
Examples
4 of 4我家里养了一只宠物狗。
I keep a pet dog at home.
该社区规定禁止饲养大型宠物。
The community regulations prohibit keeping large pets.
我的猫是我的好朋友，也是我的宠物。
My cat is my good friend and also my pet.
城市化进程影响了居民饲养宠物的习惯。
The process of urbanization has influenced residents' habits of keeping pets.
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This Word in Other Languages
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