卡通
kǎtōng
The English word 'cartoon' can be translated into Chinese using several different terms depending on the context. The default form is 卡通 (kǎtōng). Wiktionary also lists 諷刺畫 / 讽刺画 (fěngcìhuà) and 漫畫 / 漫画 (mànhuà).
Meaning: humorous drawing or strip (noun)
Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 卡通 | kǎtōng |
| 諷刺畫 / 讽刺画 | fěngcìhuà |
| 漫畫 / 漫画 | mànhuà |
卡通 is often used to describe cute, stylized or 'cartoonish' aesthetics and characters. For an animated television show or a movie, speakers frequently add the word for film, 片 (piàn), to form 卡通片.
Which one should you use?
卡通 is a phonetic loanword often used for cute or stylized aesthetics. In contrast, 諷刺畫 (or the simplified 讽刺画) refers specifically to satirical or political cartoons intended to mock or critique a subject.
How do you pronounce it?
kǎtōng
Did you know?
- The pronunciation of 卡通 was influenced by the Shanghainese dialect, which acted as a gateway for the English word into the language.
- The word 漫 in 漫畫 carries a sense of being 'unrestricted' or 'casual', suggesting the free-flowing nature of drawing.
- In modern internet slang, the 'cartoonish' quality of 卡通 is often linked to 'kawaii' culture and the 'moe' aesthetic from Japan.
Examples in context
- 这部动画片真有趣！This cartoon is really interesting!
- 我喜欢看日本的漫画和卡通。I like to read Japanese comics and watch cartoons.
- 這部卡通很可愛。Zhè bù kǎtōng hěn kě'ài.This cartoon is very cute.
- 我喜歡這個卡通角色。Wǒ xǐhuān zhège kǎtōng juésè.I like this cartoon character.
Example conversation
Zhiqiang and Jiayi are looking at a book of drawings.
- 志强 Zhiqiang你觉得这个卡通怎么样？Nǐ juéde zhège kǎtōng zěnmeyàng?What do you think of this cartoon?
- 佳怡 Jiayi我觉得非常有创意。Wǒ juéde fēicháng yǒu chuàngyì.I think it is very creative.
- 志强 Zhiqiang我也这么觉得，很有趣。Wǒ yě zhème juéde, hěn yǒuqù.I think so too, it's very funny.
- 佳怡 Jiayi志强，你也试试画一个吧。Zhìqiáng, nǐ yě shìshì huà yīgè ba.Zhiqiang, why don't you try drawing one too?
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cartoon” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 卡通, 漫畫, CC BY-SA 4.0.
