Animals Vocabulary in Chinese
Explore Chinese words related to different animals. An excellent resource for beginners learning Chinese.
乳房 (rǔ fáng)
breast
The Chinese word for 'breast' is '乳房' (rǔ fáng). It is used in the same contexts as the English word, referring to the upper ventral region of an animal's torso, particularly that of mammals, including humans. It is often used in scientific, medical, or formal contexts.
Example sentences with 乳房 →兔子 (tùzi)
rabbit
The term '兔子' (tùzi) directly translates to 'rabbit' in English. In Chinese culture, rabbits are widely regarded as gentle, quiet, elegant creatures, often symbolizing graciousness, kindness, and loyalty. The term '兔子' can be used universally in contexts where you would use 'rabbit' in English, referring to the animal itself.
农场 (nóng chǎng)
farm
In Chinese, '农场' is used to describe an area of land, as well as the buildings on it, which is used for growing crops and rearing animals. The word is often used in a similar context as it is in English, referring to agricultural activities and industries.
动物 (dòngwù)
animal
In Chinese, the word '动物' refers to the same concept as 'animal' in English. It is used to describe any member of the kingdom Animalia, including creatures such as dogs, cats, fish, birds, and humans. Much like in English, it can be used in various contexts, including but not limited to, science, domestic life, and idiomatic expressions.
大象 (dà xiàng)
elephant
The Chinese word '大象' is used to refer to the large mammal known as an elephant. It can be used in similar contexts as the English word, such as discussing an elephant's size, beauty, or the role they play in the wild.
昆虫 (kūn chóng)
insect
The Chinese word '昆虫' is used to refer to small animals that we often call bugs or insects in English. In China, there is great variety in types of insects due to the country's vast size and diverse climates. Just like in English, this word can be used in a variety of contexts - to talk about nature, biology, or even just what you saw in the park this afternoon.
Example sentences with 昆虫 →熊 (xiong)
bear
In Mandarin Chinese, 'bear' is translated as '熊' (xiong). It is used to refer to the large mammal known for its strength and fur. It could also figuratively convey someone who is strong or daunting. It is used in the same context as its English counterpart.
牛 (niú)
cow
In Chinese, 牛 (niú) is used to refer to a cow. It can be used on its own or in conjunction with other words to refer to specific types of cows, such as 母牛 (mǔniú) for 'female cow' or 牛肉 (niúròu) for 'beef'. Beyond its literal meaning, 牛 also has cultural significance in Chinese, representing hardworking and honest characteristics.
狐狸 (hú lí)
fox
In Chinese, '狐狸' is the equivalent for fox. It is often used in various contexts, as in idioms, metaphors, and folklore, similarly to English. For instance, the phrase '狐狸精' literally translated as 'fox spirit' is a common metaphor for a sly or cunning individual.
狗 (gǒu)
dog
In Chinese, '狗' (gǒu) is used similar to how 'dog' is used in English, referring to the domesticated mammal related to the fox and wild wolf. It's a common pet worldwide and is known for being loyal and protective. Depending on context, '狗' may also be used in proverbs or idioms, which carry certain cultural connotations, just like in English.
狮子 (shī zi)
lion
In Chinese, the word for lion is '狮子' (shī zi). It can be used in various contexts, just like in English. For example, it can refer to the animal itself or be used metaphorically to symbolize strength and bravery. Chinese culture has a special respect for lions, they are considered as protectors and symbols of power and dignity, often seen in Chinese traditional art and folklore.
猪 (zhū)
pig
The Chinese word for pig is used similarly to how it is in English. It refers to the farm animal known for its snout and ability to be used in various dishes. In Chinese culture, the pig also has significance in the Chinese zodiac, representing traits such as honesty, determination, and indulgence.
猫 (māo)
cat
The word '猫' (māo) translates to 'cat' in English. In Chinese, it is commonly used to refer to small, domesticated felines, similarly to English. It can also be part of other words or phrases. For example, '家猫' (jiā māo) is a house cat and '流浪猫' (liú làng māo) refers to a stray cat.
猴子 (hóu zi)
monkey
In Chinese, '猴子' is pronounced as 'hóu zi'. It is used to describe the animal monkey. It can be used just as the word 'monkey' is used in English, to refer to the specific animal, or used metaphorically to describe someone as naughty or mischievous.
稳定 (wěn dìng)
stable
The Chinese word '稳定' represents stability, steadiness, or balance. It is usually used in various contexts where stability is emphasized, such as emotional stability, economic stability or stability in a system. For example, in sentence '我们需要一个稳定的经济体系'（We need a stable economic system）, '稳定' is used to stress the need for steadiness in an economic system.
Example sentences with 稳定 →羊 (yáng)
sheep
The term '羊' denotes 'sheep', a domesticated mammal raised for their coat, meat, and milk. It is often used in references, idioms, and metaphors to signify traits such as obedience, herd mentality, and innocence.
腰带 (yāo dài)
belt
腰带, in Chinese specifically refers to the essential accessory that holds up your pants or is used for style in clothing. It is often used in the context of dressing and personal style.
Example sentences with 腰带 →虫 (chóng)
bug
The Chinese word for 'bug' is '虫'. This is a simple noun that is commonly used to refer to small insects. In some contexts, it can also refer to the broader category of small creatures, including insects, worms, and similar small organisms. It is used in the same way as the English word 'bug'.
Example sentences with 虫 →蛇 (shé)
snake
The Chinese word for 'snake' is '蛇'. This word can be used in the same contexts as in English, mainly referring to the reptile. It can also be figuratively used to refer to a sneaky or deceitful person, similar to English. Note that different types of snakes might have different names in Chinese.
马 (mǎ)
horse
The Chinese character '马' refers to the common four-legged animal known in English as a horse. It is generally used in the same manner as it would be used in the English language: to refer to the animal itself, as well as in idioms and proverbs.
鱼 (yú)
fish
Fish is a commonly cooked food in China, enjoyed in various forms like steamed, fried or in soup.
Example sentences with 鱼 →鸟 (niǎo)
bird
In Chinese, '鸟' is the word equivalent to the English 'bird'. This word is used to refer to a group of warm-blooded vertebrates constituting the class Aves, characterized by feathers, toothless beaked jaws, the laying of hard-shelled eggs, a high metabolic rate, a four-chambered heart, and a strong yet lightweight skeleton. As in English, it can be used to denote a general class or specific types of birds and it is used in common phrases and expressions as well.
鸡 (jī)
chicken
In Chinese, '鸡' refers to the animal chicken, just like in English. However, Chinese culture and language often use '鸡' to represent luck and prosperity. This is especially true during the Chinese New Year's period when the chicken is seen as a symbol of wealth due to its association with the Chinese Zodiac.
鸭 (yā)
duck
The Chinese word for duck is '鸭'. Just like in English, it refers to the bird that is found both in water and on land. It can be used in many contexts, mainly depending on the words it's used with. Typically, you might find it in the menu of a Chinese restaurant, as 'Peking Duck' is a famous Chinese dish.