饲养

饲养 means 'to raise (animals)' or 'to feed and tend'. It specifically refers to the care and feeding of animals, often in a domestic or agricultural setting. Unlike the general term 'feed', 饲养 implies ongoing care and responsibility.

The character 饲 (sì) originally meant 'to feed' or 'to provide food', while 养 (yǎng) means 'to raise' or 'to nurture'. Together, they form a compound verb emphasizing both feeding and tending to animals.

饲养 is commonly used in contexts such as farming, pet care, and animal husbandry. It is also sometimes used metaphorically, though this is less common. Learners should note that it is typically used with animals, not people.