大熊猫
dàxióngmāo
The English phrase "panda bear" is translated into Chinese as 大熊猫 (dàxióngmāo).
The term 大熊猫 refers specifically to the giant panda, the large bear native to China with distinctive black and white fur. The standard Chinese word for panda is 熊猫 (xióngmāo), which literally translates to "bear cat".
What does it mean word for word?
The term 大熊猫 is composed of three parts: 大 (big/giant), 熊 (bear) and 猫 (cat).
Which one should you use?
While 熊猫 (xióngmāo) is the standard term for a panda, 大熊猫 (dàxióngmāo) specifically means "giant panda". Additionally, 小熊猫 (xiǎoxióngmāo) is used to describe the species known as the red panda.
How do you pronounce it?
dàxióngmāo
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers sometimes mistakenly assume that the māo in 熊猫 implies the animal is a cat, but it is simply a standard part of the name for the panda.
Did you know?
- In modern Chinese pop culture, calling someone a 熊猫眼 (panda eye) is the standard way to describe having dark circles under one's eyes from lack of sleep.
- In Chinese diplomacy, the gift of a 大熊猫 is known as 'panda diplomacy' and is used as a high-level symbol of friendship between China and other nations.
- In some older Chinese texts, the name for the panda was closer to 'black white bear' rather than the modern 'bear cat' construction. The current name was a later taxonomic popularization.
Examples in context
- 在中国，大熊猫是国宝。In China, the giant panda is a national treasure.
- 大熊猫非常可爱。Dàxióngmāo fēicháng kě'ài.The giant panda is very cute.
- 我在动物园看到了大熊猫。Wǒ zài dòngwùyuán kàndào le dàxióngmāo.I saw a giant panda at the zoo.
- 大熊猫喜欢吃竹子。Dàxióngmāo xǐhuān chī zhúzi.Giant pandas like to eat bamboo.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about a documentary on TV.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen你看，电视里有大熊猫。Nǐ kàn, diànshì lǐ yǒu dàxióngmāo.Look, there is a giant panda on TV.
- 志强 Zhiqiang它真的很漂亮。Tā zhēn de hěn piàoliang.It is really beautiful.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen我想去看看大熊猫。Wǒ xiǎng qù kànkan dàxióngmāo.I want to go see a giant panda.
- 志强 Zhiqiang我们周末一起去吧。Wǒmen zhōumò yīqǐ qù ba.Let's go together this weekend.
