大象
daai⁶ zoeng⁶
The English word "elephant" is 大象 (daai⁶ zoeng⁶) in Cantonese. Wiktionary also lists 象 (zoeng⁶) and 大笨象 (daai⁶ ban⁶ zoeng⁶).
Meaning: mammal (noun)
Ways to say it
| Cantonese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 大象 | daai⁶ zoeng⁶ |
| 象 | zoeng⁶ |
| 大笨象 | daai⁶ ban⁶ zoeng⁶ |
大象 is the standard term used to refer to the mammal known as an elephant.
Which one should you use?
象 is the root word for elephant, but it is more frequently found in classical Chinese or within formal compounds. In everyday Cantonese conversation, 大象 is the standard way to express the word.
How do you pronounce it?
daai6 zoeng6
Did you know?
- The character 象 is a pictograph that originally looked like a drawing of an elephant's trunk and head.
- The word 大笨象 (daai6 ban6 zoeng6) translates literally to 'big stupid elephant' and is often used as a playful or teasing nickname for someone who is clumsy.
- While 大象 is the standard term, the character 象 is used in the common idiom 象形文字, which refers to 'hieroglyphs' or 'pictographic characters'.
Examples in context
- 隻大笨象好受小朋友歡迎。The elephant is liked by little children.This sentence shows how the form 象 is used when describing a popular animal for children.Tatoeba #1321388 by nickyeow, translation #46253 by CM
- 可愛嘅大象A cute elephant
Example conversation
Two friends are talking at the zoo.
- 曉彤 Hiu Tung俊傑，你睇下嗰隻大象！zyun1 git6, nei5 tai2 haa5 go2 zek3 daai6 zoeng6!Jun Kit, look at that elephant!
- 俊傑 Chun Kit哇，佢個鼻真係好長。waa1, keoi5 go3 be1 zan1 hai6 hou2 coeng4.Wow, its trunk is really long.
- 曉彤 Hiu Tung我最鍾意大象嘅耳朵。ngo5 zeoi3 zung1 ji3 daai6 zoeng6 ge3 ji5 do2.I like elephants' ears the most.
- 俊傑 Chun Kit我同意，佢哋好可愛。ngo5 tung1 ji3, keoi5 dei6 hou2 ko3 oi3.I agree, they are very cute.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “elephant” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
