小猪
xiǎozhū
The English phrase 'piggy' can be translated into Chinese as 小猪 (xiǎozhū).
小猪 is an affectionate name for a young pig. Much like in English, it is used as a term of endearment for children or even romantic partners.
What does it mean word for word?
小猪 is composed of 小, meaning 'small' or 'little' and 猪, meaning 'pig'.
Which one should you use?
While 小猪 is a standard way to say 'piggy', you can use 猪宝宝 to amplify the cuteness of the term even further in conversation.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Beijing dialect, an additional option is 猪儿. The addition of 儿 at the end of the term reflects the dialect's influence and is commonly used to denote affection or familiarity.
How do you pronounce it?
xiǎozhū
Did you know?
- In Chinese culture, pigs are symbols of wealth and prosperity, so the word 猪 carries much more positive connotations than the 'dirty' or 'lazy' stereotypes often found in Western English contexts.
- The concept of 'piggy' is tied to the Chinese Zodiac, where those born in the Year of the Pig are often seen as honest, generous and lucky.
- The character 猪 is a phono-semantic compound, meaning it combines a radical for 'animal' and a part that suggests how the word sounds.
Examples in context
- 这是我家的小猪，太可爱了！This is my little piggy at home, so adorable!
- 这只小猪很可爱。Zhè zhǐ xiǎozhū hěn kě'ài.This little piggy is very cute.
- 看，那头小猪在睡觉。Kàn, nà tóu xiǎozhū zài shuìjiào.Look, that little piggy is sleeping.
- 草地上有一只粉色的小猪。Cǎodì shàng yǒu yì zhǐ fěnsè de xiǎozhū.There is a pink little piggy on the grass.
Example conversation
Two people are visiting a small petting zoo.
- 雨婷 Yuting你看那只小猪了吗？Nǐ kàn nà zhǐ xiǎozhū le ma?Did you see that little piggy?
- 伟 Wei看到了，它真的好可爱。Kàn dào le, tā zhēnde hǎo kě'ài.I saw it, it is really cute.
- 雨婷 Yuting伟，我们去喂它吧。Wěi, wǒmen qù wèi tā ba.Wei, let's go feed it.
- 伟 Wei好啊，雨婷，走吧。Hǎo a, Yǔtíng, zǒu ba.Okay, Yuting, let's go.
