绵羊 (miányáng): sheep

Measure Word

一只绵羊 zhī

Literally "soft sheep" — distinguishing the woolly, docile sheep from goats.

草地上有一群绵羊。

Cǎodì shàng yǒu yì qún miányáng.

There is a flock of sheep on the meadow.

绵羊的毛可以做毛衣。

Miányáng de máo kěyǐ zuò máoyī.

Sheep's wool can be made into sweaters.

usage

绵羊 specifically refers to sheep (wool-producing, docile). 山羊 (shānyáng) is a goat. The general term 羊 (yáng) can mean either sheep or goat.

绵 mián

羊 yáng