浣熊
huànxióng
The English word raccoon is 浣熊 (huànxióng) in Chinese.
浣熊 is a noun used to refer to the nocturnal omnivore living in North America, scientifically known as Procyon lotor.
Meaning: nocturnal omnivore living in North America, Procyon lotor (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of 浣 (huàn), meaning 'to wash' and 熊 (xióng), meaning 'bear'.
How do you pronounce it?
huànxióng
Did you know?
- The Chinese name 浣熊 is a direct translation of the New Latin name Ursus lotor, which describes the animal as a 'washing bear'.
- The word 熊 is also used in Chinese idioms to describe someone who is clumsy or foolish, adding a subtle layer of character to the name 浣熊.
- The first character 浣 is specifically used for 'washing' something in water, which is a more specific type of washing than the common verb 洗.
Examples in context
- 我只是一隻擁有電腦和 MIDI 鍵盤的浣熊。I'm just a raccoon with a PC and a MIDI keyboard.This sentence uses 浣熊 to describe a raccoon with specific musical equipment.Tatoeba #13527688 by LeviHighway, translation #9279934 by DJ_Saidez
- 那隻浣熊在吃東西。Nà zhī huànxióng zài chī dōngxi.That raccoon is eating.
- 浣熊的眼睛黑黑的。Huànxióng de yǎnjīng hēi hēi de.The raccoon has black eyes.
Example conversation
Wei and Yuting are looking at a nature documentary on TV.
- 伟 Wei妳看，那隻浣熊很可愛。Nǐ kàn, nà zhī huànxióng hěn kě'ài.Look, that raccoon is very cute.
- 雨婷 Yuting是啊，牠的尾巴很特別。Shì a, tā de wěiba hěn tèbié.Yes, its tail is very special.
- 伟 Wei牠們是不是在森林裡生活？Tāmen shì bù shì zài sēnlín lǐ shēnghuó?Do they live in the forest?
- 雨婷 Yuting對，牠們是夜行性動物。Duì, tāmen shì yèxíngxìng dòngwù.Correct, they are nocturnal animals.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “raccoon” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 浣熊, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
