生肖
shēngxiào
The Chinese zodiac is translated into Chinese as 生肖 (shēngxiào).
生肖 is used specifically to refer to the twelve animal signs of the zodiac rather than the general concept of a horoscope.
What does it mean word for word?
The term 生肖 is composed of 生 (birth/life) and 肖 (resemble/likeness), literally referring to the animals that represent one's birth year.
Which one should you use?
The form 十二生肖 is a formal term that translates to twelve birth likenesses or twelve birth images.
How do you pronounce it?
shēngxiào
Did you know?
- In historical contexts, the twelve animals of the '生肖' were also used as '地支' (earthly branches) to mark time, acting as a cosmic clock for the entire year.
- The order of the '生肖' is fixed by a legendary race, meaning the animals' positions in the cycle are determined by their finishing order in a historical myth.
- While the western zodiac uses signs like 'Aries', the Chinese '生肖' is often referred to by the phrase '属' (to belong to) followed by an animal, such as '属龙' for 'belonging to the Dragon'.
Examples in context
- 很多人都會問，生肖的十二種動物裡為什麼沒有貓呢？A lot of people ask why the cat does not appear among the twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac.This sentence is useful for discussing why the cat is not among the animals of the 生肖.Tatoeba #13119390 by LeviHighway, translation #737867 by eastasiastudent
- 十二生肖裡沒有貓的原因很簡單。The reason the cat is not included in the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac is very simple.This sentence is useful for explaining why the cat is excluded from the 生肖.Tatoeba #737869 by DaoSeng, translation #737871 by eastasiastudent
- 從根本上說，十二生肖的形成，與動物崇拜有關。On a fundamental level, the 12 forms of the Chinese zodiac are related to animal worship.This sentence is useful for relating the formation of the 生肖 to animal worship.Tatoeba #737782 by eastasiastudent, translation #737785 by eastasiastudent
- 去年是狗年，今年是猪年，它们都是中国的生肖动物。Last year was the Year of the Dog, and this year is the Year of the Pig. They are both animals in the Chinese Zodiac.
- 中国的十二生肖是鼠、牛、虎、兔、龙、蛇、马、羊、猴、鸡、狗、猪。The twelve animal signs of the Chinese Zodiac are Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig.
- 你是什么属相？What is your Chinese Zodiac sign?
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are chatting about their birth years and personalities.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen你的生肖是什麼？Nǐ de shēngxiào shì shénme?What is your Chinese zodiac sign?
- 伟 Wei我是屬龍的，妳呢？Wǒ shì shǔ lóng de, nǐ ne?I am a Dragon, how about you?
- 晓雯 Xiaowen我屬兔，我覺得生肖很準。Wǒ shǔ tù, wǒ juéde shēngxiào hěn zhǔn.I am a Rabbit, I think the Chinese zodiac is quite accurate.
- 伟 Wei我也覺得很有趣。Wǒ yě juéde hěn yǒuqù.I also think it is very interesting.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
