<p>In modern Chinese 公/母 is the commonest way to describe animal gender. 雄/雌 is typically used in written language. 牡/牝 is more literary. 豭/豝（boar/sow）牯/牸（ox/cow）and many other pairs originally meant the animals of either gender and extended to refer to either gender of animals. However, note that they are never used in modern Chinese now, so if you use them in talking or writing, you will have to explain it with 公/母 or something, and give others an impression of pretension.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-07-22T05:46:09.387Z
2018-07-22T05:46:09.387Z
Toosky Hierot
<p>To be simple, male/female: 公/母、雄/雌  </p>

<blockquote>
  <p>公鸡、母鸡；公狗、母狗; 公牛、母牛。<br>
  雄鱼、雌鱼。</p>
</blockquote>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-07-21T15:02:47.060Z
in Cantonese, female animal is called ~乸  and male animal is called ~公.  e.g. 狗公, 狗乸;  猫公, 猫乸
Tang Ho
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-07-21T15:09:04.040Z
Glad to know something different. I don't speak Cantonese, maybe you can give another answer about it.
Bruce Huang
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-07-21T14:05:39.240Z
2018-07-21T14:05:39.240Z
Bruce Huang
<p>I know the male version when describing gender of an animal or pet is 公，but I have no clue with the female version. </p>

<translation><meaning-in-context>
What are the prefixes for animal genders?
# What are the prefixes for animal genders?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2018-07-21)

I know the male version when describing gender of an animal or pet is 公，but I have no clue with the female version.

**Tags:** translation, meaning-in-context


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## 2 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2018-07-21. Score: 4 | Accepted answer

To be simple, male/female: 公/母、雄/雌

> 公鸡、母鸡；公狗、母狗; 公牛、母牛。  
> 雄鱼、雌鱼。

> **Comments:**
> **username_3**: in Cantonese, female animal is called ~乸  and male animal is called ~公.  e.g. 狗公, 狗乸;  猫公, 猫乸  
> **username_2**: Glad to know something different. I don't speak Cantonese, maybe you can give another answer about it.  

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### Answer by username_1 on 2018-07-22. Score: 4

In modern Chinese 公/母 is the commonest way to describe animal gender. 雄/雌 is typically used in written language. 牡/牝 is more literary. 豭/豝（boar/sow）牯/牸（ox/cow）and many other pairs originally meant the animals of either gender and extended to refer to either gender of animals. However, note that they are never used in modern Chinese now, so if you use them in talking or writing, you will have to explain it with 公/母 or something, and give others an impression of pretension.


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