Toll Free - U.S.& Canada:  1-800-791-9386   Hong Kong:  800-902-058   Australia:  1-800-779-835
Free online Chinese learning support
  • Follow us on Facebook!
  • Watch Our YouTube Videos!
  • Follow us on Twitter!
  • Follow us on WeChat!
    Follow Us in WeChat by Scanning!
    Follow Us in "WeChat"
    by Scanning
  • Follow us on LinkedIn
  • Explore Our Instagram Videos & Photos!
United Kingdom:  0-800-086-8969   Germany:  0-800-180-0341   Singapore:  800-130-1652
France:  0-805-080-689   Spain:  900-838-906    

牛 (niú) Excellent!

Nov. 9, 2011

Origin:

The proper meaning of "牛 (niú)" is cow, but now it can be used to express "cool," "awesome" or "excellent." It is believed that this meaning originated from the north-eastern Chinese dialect.

Usage:

You can say "你好牛啊 (nǐ hǎo niú a)" or "真牛 (zhēn niú)" to express your admiration of others. There are many circumstances in which you can use this word. For example, if your friend wins a championship you can give him or her thumbs up and say, "你好牛啊! (Nǐ hǎo niú a!)" or "真牛! (Zhēn niú!)" to express "You're awesome!"

(Watch the video lesson and learn another way to express your admiration of others)

 Examples:

1. Nǐ zhēn niú  a,  měicì  kǎoshì dōushì  quánbān dìyī.
  
 你   真  牛 啊, 每次   考试    都是        全班      第一。

    You are awesome! You always get the highest grade on the exams in your class.

(Want to pass Chinese exams? Take some Chinese test preparation courses first!)

2. Zhēn niú! Tā yígeyuè  nèi   jiù  dāng le  jīnglǐ.
    
真     牛!  他 一个月     内   就   当    了  经理。

    Excellent! He became a manager in only one month.

 3.    Nǐ  zhīdào ma? Lucy dāng kǒuyì le.
Lisa: 你   知道   吗?Lucy    当    口译 了。

        Did you know that Lucy is becoming an interpreter? 

       Tā  hǎo niú  a!
Lily: 她   好    牛  啊!

       She is awesome!

Take a Free 1-on-1 live online Chinese lesson with our professional teachers from China.

Chinese Popular Words (Fun Stuff)

HSK Test

General Chinese (Beginner Level)

General Chinese (Intermediate Level)

Got questions? Take a free 1-to-1 lesson with one of our professional teachers by signing up below:
Name: 
E-mail: 
Country/Region: 
-select-

search no result

Tel: 
By clicking Submit, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Your email address and phone number
will be kept STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL.
Submit

Write a comment

Your Name: 
Your Email:  Your email address will not be published.
Comments: 
Verification Code:  Verification Code Unclear? Try another one
By clicking Submit, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Email This Article
Recipients' email addresses:
(separate recipients with comma)
Your name:
Your e-mail address (optional):
Your message (optional):
Verification Code:
By clicking Send, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.


FREE Mandarin E-book
Sign up for a free trial now!
Get more information about our Chinese lessons through live chat
Get a FREE live 1-to-1 lesson and FREE e-books. Complete the form below:
Name:
E-mail:
Country/Region:
-select-

search no result

Tel:
By clicking Submit, you agree to our
Terms of Service
and Privacy Policy.
Your email address and phone number
will be kept STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL.