负鼠
fùshǔ
The English word "possum" is translated into Chinese as 负鼠 (fùshǔ).
The term refers to a marsupial of the order Diprotodontia.
Meaning: marsupial of the order Diprotodontia (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term literally translates to 'carrying rat', referring to the way the animal carries its young (or the way it is perceived to carry its weight/body).
How do you pronounce it?
fùshǔ
Did you know?
- Chinese distinguishes between different marsupials by adding descriptors to 鼠, such as 袋鼠 for 'kangaroo', which literally means 'pouch rat'.
- The character 负 in 负鼠 can mean 'to carry on the back' but also means 'negative' or 'to lose' in modern Chinese.
- While 鼠 means 'rat' or 'mouse' in 负鼠, it is used in Chinese to categorize many non-rodents, including the 'shrew' and the 'mole'.
Examples in context
- 那只负鼠很可爱。Nà zhī fùshǔ hěn kě'ài.That possum is very cute.
- 我在森林里看到了一只负鼠。Wǒ zài sēnlín lǐ kàndào le yī zhī fùshǔ.I saw a possum in the forest.
- 负鼠通常在晚上活动。Fùshǔ tōngcháng zài wǎnshàng huódòng.Possums are usually active at night.
