狮鹫
shījiù
The English word "griffin" is translated into Chinese as 狮鹫 (shījiù).
狮鹫 refers to the mythical creature characterized by having the body of a lion and the head and wings of an eagle.
Meaning: mythical creature with the body of a lion and head and wings of an eagle (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is a compound of 狮 (shī), which means lion and 鹫 (jiù), which means vulture or a large bird of prey.
How do you pronounce it?
shījiù
Did you know?
- While 狮鹫 refers to the Western griffin, Chinese mythology features the 貔貅 (píxiū), a winged lion-like creature that is believed to attract wealth and gold.
- The character 鹫 (jiù) specifically refers to the cinereous vulture, showing that Chinese translates the eagle part of a griffin using a bird that is actually larger than most eagles.
- The character 鹫 (jiù) contains the radical for 'bird' on the left side, which is a common way Chinese characters are organized to indicate their meaning category.
Examples in context
- 狮鹫是一个古老而神秘的传说生物，它象征着勇气和力量。The griffin is an ancient and mysterious mythical creature symbolizing courage and strength.
- 看哪，那只鹰狮在天空中飞翔！Look, the griffin is flying in the sky!
- 书里画了一只狮鹫。Shū lǐ huà le yī zhī shījiù.There is a griffin drawn in the book.
- 狮鹫是神话中的生物。Shījiù shì shénhuà zhōng de shēngwù.The griffin is a creature in mythology.
- 那个狮鹫的雕像很漂亮。Nàge shījiù de diāoxiàng hěn piàoliang.That griffin statue is very beautiful.
Example conversation
Wei and Jiayi are looking at a fantasy novel in a bookstore.
- 伟 Wei你看，这本小说里有狮鹫。Nǐ kàn, zhè běn xiǎoshuō lǐ yǒu shījiù.Look, there is a griffin in this novel.
- 佳怡 Jiayi哇，它的翅膀看起来真壮丽。Wa, tā de chìbǎng kàn qǐlái zhēn zhuànglì.Wow, its wings look truly magnificent.
- 伟 Wei我想买这本关于狮鹫的故事。Wǒ xiǎng mǎi zhè běn guānyú shījiù de gùshì.I want to buy this story about the griffin.
- 佳怡 Jiayi好啊，我们一起看吧。Hǎo a, wǒmen yīqǐ kàn ba.Okay, let's read it together.
