How to Say “Lion” in Hmong

By Graham Charlie • Updated September 30, 2026

tsov ntxhuav

The English word "lion" is translated into Hmong as tsov ntxhuav.

tsov ntxhuav refers to the big cat of the species Panthera leo.

Meaning: big cat Panthera leo (noun)

Did you know?

The word tsov is believed to be a loanword from Middle Chinese, originally meaning 'ancestor'.
The term tsov reflects a broad linguistic pattern where the tiger is the primary 'big cat' archetype in Hmongic languages.

Examples in context

Tsov ntxhuav yog ib tsiaj loj.
A lion is a big animal.
Kuv pom tsov ntxhuav hauv TV.
I saw a lion on TV.

Example conversation

Yee and Yia are looking at a picture book in a classroom.

Yee

Yia, saib tsov ntxhuav no.
Yia, look at this lion.
Yia

Yee, nws zoo nkauj heev.
Yee, it is very beautiful.
Yee

Tsov ntxhuav loj heev li.
The lion is so big.
Yia

Yee, kuv ntshai nws.
Yee, I am afraid of it.

Sources

Word origins: Wiktionary entries tsov, tsov ntxhuav, CC BY-SA 4.0.

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About The Author

Graham Charlie

Hello there, I am Graham! Fascinated by Hmong culture and language, I have dedicated myself to creating comprehensive guides to teach English speakers Hmong verbiage. My interests range from exploring Hmong traditional 'Qeej' music to the culinary delights like 'Rice'. When I am not penning down guides, you can find me trying to master the art of Hmong dance or expanding my Hmong vocabulary. I say 'Nyob zoo' (hi, how are you?) from here and look forward to helping you discover the world of Hmong language!

Graham CharlieHelp make this guide better. Spot a mistake, know another way to say it, or have an example from real life? Share it below.

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