这些名词均有“牛”之意。

ox : 泛指野生或驯养的牛类，系动物学的用词，通称，也指公牛。

  • We must lead an ox by the halter.牵牛要牵牛鼻子。
  • Fierce-browed, I coolly defy a thousand pointing fingers; headbowed, like a willing ox I serve the children.横眉冷对千夫指，俯首甘为孺子牛。

bull : 指未经阉割，通常用于配种的公牛，也指西班牙或美洲经专门饲料用作斗牛表演的公牛。引申指彪形大汉。

  • They did not see the sign by the gate saying "Beware of the bull".他们没有看见门旁边“当心公牛”的警示。
  • This bull gores people.这牛爱顶人。

cow : 指任何品种的成年母牛或乳用的乳牛。

  • He kept a few dairy cows.他养了几头奶牛。

buffalo : 指水牛，在美国指野牛。

  • A cluster of vultures crouched on the carcass of a dead buffalo.一群秃鹫蹲伏在一具野牛的尸体上。
  • Once there were 70 million buffalo on the plains.北美大平原上曾有过7,000万头野牛。
  • Asian buffalo isn't as wild as that of america's.亚洲水牛比美国水牛温顺些。