“饲养”常见的英文表达有 raise、breed 和 keep,具体使用哪个词取决于语境:
raise:使用最为广泛,强调对动物进行照料、喂养使其成长,适用于各种家养动物或农场动物的日常照料。例如:
They raise chickens and pigs on their farm.(他们在农场里饲养鸡和猪。)
My family has always raised cats.(我家一直养猫。)
breed:侧重于有计划、有目的地繁殖动物,以培育特定品种或获得某种特性,常用于农业、畜牧业或宠物育种领域。例如:
This farm specializes in breeding high-quality dairy cows.(这家农场专门繁殖高品质的奶牛。)
She breeds rare breeds of dogs as a hobby.(她以培育稀有品种的狗为爱好。)
keep:强调拥有、持有动物并为其提供生活空间和基本照料,相对较为口语化。例如:
I keep a few goldfish in a tank.(我在鱼缸里养了几条金鱼。)
Many people in the village keep goats for milk.(村里很多人养山羊来获取牛奶。)