bue

noun BOO-eh Rare

Origin: From Latin bos, bovis (ox, cow).

Usage Note

Bue (plural buoi) is a castrated male bovine used as a draft animal. The irregular plural buoi (not bui) trips up learners. In the expression lento come un bue (slow as an ox), it implies sluggishness. Do not confuse with toro (bull, uncastrated) or vacca (cow).

Examples

"Il bue tira l'aratro nei campi."

Natural Translation

The ox pulls the plow in the fields.

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