美西螈
měixīyuán
The English phrase axolotl is translated into Chinese as 美西螈 (měixīyuán). If unsure, use 美西螈. Wiktionary also lists 墨西哥鈍口螈 / 墨西哥钝口螈 (Mòxīgē dùnkǒuyuán) and 六角恐龍 / 六角恐龙 (liùjiǎo kǒnglóng).
Meaning: endangered salamander (noun)
Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 美西螈 | měixīyuán |
| 墨西哥鈍口螈 / 墨西哥钝口螈 | Mòxīgē dùnkǒuyuán |
| 六角恐龍 / 六角恐龙 | liùjiǎo kǒnglóng |
| 六角龍 / 六角龙 | liùjiǎolóng |
The term refers to the endangered salamander. In informal settings, people may also refer to them as 小水怪, which means 'little water monster'.
What does it mean word for word?
The scientific name 美西螈 literally means 'American West salamander'. The name 墨西哥鈍口螈 translates to 'Mexico blunt-mouth salamander'.
Which one should you use?
美西螈 is the scientific name. In contrast, 六角恐龍 or 六角龍 (meaning 'six-horned dinosaur') are colloquial names frequently used in internet culture and the pet trade.
How do you pronounce it?
měixīyuán
Did you know?
- The character 螈 in 美西螈 is a specialized character specifically used for salamanders, which is rarely encountered in general Chinese conversation outside of biological contexts.
- The name 六角恐龍 is often used in Chinese marketing for axolotl-themed merchandise, as the 'dinosaur' imagery is considered cuter and more marketable than 'salamander'.
- If you use the formal term 美西螈 in a casual pet shop, staff might find it strangely academic and prefer the colloquial names.
Examples in context
- 美西螈是受保護的物種。Měixīyuán shì shòu bǎohù de wùzhǒng.The axolotl is a protected species.
- 這隻美西螈看起來很健康。Zhè zhī měixīyuán kàn qǐlái hěn jiànkāng.This axolotl looks very healthy.
- 我們應該關注美西螈的保育。Wǒmen yīnggāi guānzhù měixīyuán de bǎohù.We should focus on axolotl conservation.
Example conversation
Zhiqiang and Jiayi are at an aquarium.
- 志强 Zhiqiang佳怡，你看那个美西螈！Jiāyí, nǐ kàn nàge Měixīyuán!Jiayi, look at that axolotl!
- 佳怡 Jiayi它在做什么？Tā zài zuò shénme?What is it doing?
- 志强 Zhiqiang它在水草里游泳。Tā zài shuǐcǎo lǐ yóuyǒng.It is swimming in the water plants.
- 佳怡 Jiayi它的样子真有趣。Tā de yàngzi zhēn yǒuqù.It looks really interesting.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “axolotl” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
