In Mandarin, there are special words called measure words (量词) that we use when talking about animals.

Here are some common ones:

1. 只 (zhī) - We use this word for most animals.

   • For example: 一只猫 (yī zhī māo) means "one cat."

2. 条 (tiáo) - This is for long and thin animals.

   • For example: 一条蛇 (yī tiáo shé) means "one snake."

3. 头 (tóu) - We use this for big animals.

   • For example: 一头牛 (yī tóu niú) means "one cow."

4. 群 (qún) - This word is for groups of animals.

   • For example: 一群鸟 (yī qún niǎo) means "a flock of birds."

Basic Sentence Structure:
You can follow this simple pattern: Subject + Measure Word + Animal.

• For example: 我有两只狗 (Wǒ yǒu liǎng zhī gǒu) means "I have two dogs."

Asking Questions:
To ask yes or no questions about animals, use 吗 (ma).

• For example: 你有猫吗？(Nǐ yǒu māo ma?) means "Do you have a cat?"

Saying No:
If you want to say no, use 不 (bù) for something happening now.
Use 没 (méi) for something that happened in the past.

• For example: 我没有狗。(Wǒ méi yǒu gǒu.) means "I don’t have a dog."