Definition
斗牛 is a separable verb (离合词) meaning 'to fight a bull', with the object 牛 able to split off from 斗 when adding measure words or complements — e.g. 斗过一次牛 ('fought a bull once'). As a noun it refers to the sport of bullfighting. In Chinese astronomy, 斗牛 also refers to two constellations: 斗宿 (the Dipper) and 牛宿 (the Ox/Altair), often paired in classical texts.
v.o./n.
(verb-object) to fight a bull(noun, astronomy) the constellations Dipper and Ox (斗宿 and 牛宿)
noun
bullfighting
Examples
- 。Tā qùnián zài Xībānyá dòu guò yí cì niú.He fought a bull once in Spain last year.
- 。Dòuniú shì yí xiàng fēicháng wēixiǎn de biǎoyǎn.Bullfighting is a very dangerous performance.
- 。Gǔrén bǎ dòuniú kànzuò zhòngyào de xīngxiù.Ancient people regarded the Dipper and Ox as important constellations.
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