仓鼠
cangshu
The English word "hamster" is translated into Chinese as 仓鼠 (cangshu).
仓鼠 refers to the rodent species belonging to the Cricetinae.
Meaning: rodent species belonging to the Cricetinae (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word 仓鼠 is composed of 仓 (cāng), meaning 'granary' or 'storehouse' and 鼠 (shǔ), meaning 'rodent' or 'rat'.
Which one should you use?
While 仓鼠 is the standard term, 小仓鼠 is an informal variation used to add a sense of endearment and 仓鼠宝宝 is an informal way to refer to a 'hamster baby' or a 'cute hamster'.
How do you pronounce it?
cangshu
Did you know?
- Chinese speakers use the term 仓鼠脸 (cāngshǔ liǎn), meaning 'hamster face', to describe a person with cute, chubby cheeks.
- The component 鼠 (shǔ) is the same character used for the 'Rat' in the Chinese Zodiac, meaning a hamster is linguistically part of the same family as the zodiac animal.
- The character 仓 (cāng) used in 仓鼠 depicts a building with a roof and a storage area, visually representing the 'storehouse' where these animals were traditionally found.
Examples in context
- 我最喜欢的宠物是仓鼠。My favorite pet is a hamster.
- 仓鼠有着可爱的外貌。Hamsters have an adorable appearance.
- 我买了两只小仓鼠。I bought two little hamsters.
- 那只仓鼠宝宝是我的最爱。That cute hamster is my favorite.
- 那只仓鼠很可爱。Nà zhī cāngshǔ hěn kě'ài.That hamster is very cute.
- 我养了一只仓鼠。Wǒ yǎngle yì zhī cāngshǔ.I have a pet hamster.
- 仓鼠喜欢吃葵花籽。Cāngshǔ xǐhuān chī kuíhuāzǐ.Hamsters like to eat sunflower seeds.
Example conversation
Zihan and Junjie are at a pet store.
- 梓涵 Zihan俊杰，你看这只仓鼠！Jùnjié, nǐ kàn zhè zhī cāngshǔ!Junjie, look at this hamster!
- 俊杰 Junjie它在跑轮上跑得真快。Tā zài pǎolún shàng pǎo de zhēn kuài.It is running so fast on the wheel.
- 梓涵 Zihan我想把它买回家。Wǒ xiǎng bǎ tā mǎi huí jiā.I want to buy it and take it home.
- 俊杰 Junjie好，我陪你一起买。Hǎo, wǒ péi nǐ yīqǐ mǎi.Okay, I will accompany you to buy it.
