壁虎
bìhǔ
The English word gecko is translated into Chinese as 壁虎 (bìhǔ). Wiktionary also lists 蝘蜓 (yǎntíng) and 守宮 / 守宫 (shǒugōng).
Meaning: lizard of the family Gekkonidae (noun)
Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 壁虎 | bìhǔ |
| 蝘蜓 | yǎntíng |
| 守宮 / 守宫 | shǒugōng |
The term refers to a lizard belonging to the family Gekkonidae.
What does it mean word for word?
The common term 壁虎 (bìhǔ) literally means 'wall tiger'. The literary term 守宫 (shǒugōng) literally means 'guard palace'.
Which one should you use?
壁虎 (bìhǔ) is the common, everyday term for a gecko, whereas 守宫 (shǒugōng) is a more formal or literary term. The form 蝘蜓 (yǎntíng) also exists in the language.
How do you pronounce it?
bìhǔ
Did you know?
- The phrase 守宫 is sometimes used in historical contexts to describe the 'guarding' of a maiden's virginity, linking the animal's stillness to purity.
- In some regional folk beliefs, seeing a 壁虎 in the house is considered a sign of good luck or an omen of coming wealth.
- In traditional Chinese medicine, the dried body of the 守宫 is used as a remedy to treat various ailments and is referred to by this name in pharmacopeias.
Examples in context
- 去地铁的路上差点踩到一只壁虎。Almost stepped on a gecko while going to the metro.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use 壁虎 in a daily context.Tatoeba #2422281 by huangfen, translation #2425528 by FeuDRenais2
- 小朋友们，今天我们要学习壁虎的特点。(Xiǎo péngyǒumen, jīntiān wǒmen yào xuéxí bì hǔ de tèdiǎn.)Children, today we are going to learn about the characteristics of geckos.
- 墙上有一只壁虎。Qiáng shàng yǒu yī zhī bìhǔ.There is a gecko on the wall.
- 壁虎的尾巴掉了。Bìhǔ de wěibā diào le.The gecko's tail fell off.
Example conversation
At home, looking at a wall.
- 志强 Zhiqiang看，那有一只壁虎。Kàn, nà yǒu yī zhī bìhǔ.Look, there is a gecko there.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen它在墙上动来动去的。Tā zài qiáng shàng dòng lái dòng qù de.It is moving around on the wall.
- 志强 Zhiqiang它好像很害怕我们。Tā hǎoxiàng hěn hàipà wǒmen.It seems to be afraid of us.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen别担心，它不会咬人的。Bié dānxīn, tā bù huì yǎo rén de.Don't worry, it won't bite people.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “gecko” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
