水獭
shuǐtǎ
The English word otter is translated into Chinese as 水獭 (shuǐtǎ).
水獭 refers to the semiaquatic mammal known as an otter.
Meaning: mammal (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
水獭 is a compound word where 水 means 'water' and 獭 is the specific character for 'otter'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In northern dialects, the term 獭子 is used to refer to an otter.
How do you pronounce it?
shuǐtǎ
Did you know?
- In Chinese culture, the 'otter' does not have the same ubiquitous status as a symbol of cuteness that it holds in some Western internet subcultures.
- The character 獭 contains the 'beast' radical 犭 on the left, which is a common marker for four-legged mammals in Chinese.
- The character 獭 is a phono-semantic compound, meaning it combines a radical representing 'animal' with a sound component to help with pronunciation.
Examples in context
- 我喜欢水獭，它们特别可爱！I love otters, they are incredibly adorable!
- 我最喜欢北方方言里的獭子这个称呼了！I particularly like the term "獭子" (tǎ zi) used in the northern dialects!
- 那只水獭很可爱。Nà zhī shuǐtǎ hěn kě'ài.That otter is very cute.
- 我们在动物园看到了水獭。Wǒmen zài dòngwùyuán kàndào le shuǐtǎ.We saw an otter at the zoo.
- 水獭喜欢在水里游泳。Shuǐtǎ xǐhuān zài shuǐ lǐ yóuyǒng.Otters like to swim in the water.
Example conversation
A couple is visiting an aquarium.
- 浩然 Haoran看！那只水獭在睡觉。Kàn! Nà zhī shuǐtǎ zài shuìjiào.Look! That otter is sleeping.
- 梓涵 Zihan它真的太可爱了。Tā zhēnde tài kě'ài le.It is really so cute.
- 浩然 Haoran梓涵，你想再看一会儿吗？Zǐhán, nǐ xiǎng zài kàn yīhuìr ma?Zihan, do you want to watch it for a while longer?
- 梓涵 Zihan好啊，我想多看一会儿。Hǎo a, wǒ xiǎng duō kàn yīhuìr.Sure, I want to watch it more.
