章鱼
zhāngyú
The English word "octopus" is 章鱼 (zhāngyú) in Mandarin.
章鱼 is used to refer to the mollusc known as an octopus.
Meaning: mollusc (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word 章鱼 is composed of 章 (zhāng), meaning 'chapter' or 'section' (often used in names) and 鱼 (yú), meaning 'fish'.
Which one should you use?
The term 八爪鱼 (bāzhuǎyú) is a common alternative that literally means "eight-clawed fish".
How does it change in a sentence?
When counting octopuses, the measure word 只 (zhī) is used, as seen in the phrase 一只章鱼.
How do you pronounce it?
zhāngyú
Did you know?
- In Chinese idioms and metaphors, the phrase 八爪鱼 can sometimes describe a person who is multitasking or trying to do too many things at once.
- The component 章 (zhāng) in 章鱼 is most frequently associated with written works or 'chapters' in books, which makes the literal translation of 'chapter fish' quite abstract.
- The word 爪 (zhǎo) in 八爪鱼 means 'claw' or 'talon', emphasizing the gripping power of the tentacles rather than their suckers.
Examples in context
- 我从没吃过活的章鱼。I've never eaten a live octopus.This sentence is useful for expressing that you have never eaten a live 章鱼.Tatoeba #14023309 by jan_OkulaJu, translation #953922 by CK
- 海底的岩石缝里藏着一只章鱼。The crevice in the boulder on the ocean floor conceals an octopus.This sentence describes an octopus hiding in a crevice on the ocean floor using 章鱼.Tatoeba #13847502 by LeviHighway, translation #13849964 by DaoSeng
- 章鱼有几只手？How many arms does an octopus have?This sentence uses 章鱼 to ask about the number of arms an octopus has.Tatoeba #2228388 by Tximist, translation #2228387 by Tximist
Example conversation
A couple is looking at a seafood menu at a restaurant.
- 伟 Wei你想吃章鱼吗？Nǐ xiǎng chī zhāngyú ma?Do you want to eat octopus?
- 欣怡 Xinyi我不喜欢章鱼。Wǒ bù xǐhuān zhāngyú.I don't like octopus.
- 伟 Wei这道章鱼很出名。Zhè dào zhāngyú hěn chūmíng.This octopus dish is very famous.
- 欣怡 Xinyi那我们点别的吧。Nà wǒmen diǎn bié de ba.Then let's order something else.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
