鬃狮蜥
zōng shī xī
The English phrase 'bearded dragon' is translated into Chinese as 鬃狮蜥 (zōng shī xī).
The term refers to a type of lizard native to Australia that is commonly kept as a pet.
What does it mean word for word?
The name 鬃狮蜥 literally translates to 'mane-lion-lizard' to describe its appearance. The first character 鬃 refers to a mane or bristles.
How do you pronounce it?
zōng shī xī
Did you know?
- The character 狮 meaning 'lion' is used in 鬃狮蜥 because the lizard's spiny scales resemble a lion's mane rather than a dragon's scales.
- The term follows a common Chinese pattern for naming animals by combining a physical feature, a resemblance, and a taxonomic category.
- In Chinese pet trade advertisements, the phrase 鬃狮蜥 is often paired with the word 爬宠, a shortened term for 'reptile pet'.
Examples in context
- 你好，这个颔鳞蜥叫什么名字？Hello, what's the name of this bearded dragon?
- 我养了一只鬃狮蜥。I keep a bearded dragon as a pet.
- 这只鬃狮蜥很可爱。Zhè zhǐ zōngshīxī hěn kě'ài.This bearded dragon is very cute.
- 鬃狮蜥需要晒太阳。Zōngshīxī xūyào shài tàiyáng.Bearded dragons need to bask in the sun.
Example conversation
Zhiqiang and Xiaowen are at a pet store.
- 志强 Zhiqiang你看，这只鬃狮蜥在睡觉。Nǐ kàn, zhè zhī zōngshīxī zài shuìjiào.Look, this bearded dragon is sleeping.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen它看起来很安静。Tā kàn qǐlái hěn ānjìng.It looks very quiet.
- 志强 Zhiqiang我想给它起个名字。Wǒ xiǎng gěi tā qǐ gè míngzi.I want to give it a name.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen志强，你可以叫它小龙。Zhìqiáng, nǐ kěyǐ jiào tā Xiǎolóng.Zhiqiang, you can call it Little Dragon.
