How to Write 兽 (shòu) — Meaning “beast; animal”

Imagine a beast with two horns (丷) and a big open mouth (口) standing in a field (田). This picture helps you recall that 兽 means "beast" or "wild animal."

Write the top two dots (丷) from left to right, then the mouth (口) as a square, followed by a horizontal line (一), and finally the field (田) below. A common mistake is making the bottom field too wide; keep it compact and centered.

兽 has a bottom part 田 (field), while 养 (yǎng, to raise) has a bottom related to food and a top resembling a sheep. 兼 (jiān, both) has a different structure with a vertical line and two horizontal strokes; unlike 兽, it does not contain 田.

兽 appears in common words like 野兽 (yě shòu, wild beast), 怪兽 (guài shòu, monster), and 兽医 (shòu yī, veterinarian). It usually refers to wild or fierce animals and appears in cultural phrases such as 禽兽 (birds and beasts), meaning someone who acts like a brute.

Common words containing 兽 include: 野兽 (yě shòu) — Wild beast; 怪兽 (guài shòu) — monster; 兽医 (shòu yī) — veterinarian; vet.