红龙
hóng lóng
The English phrase "red dragon" is translated into Chinese as 红龙 (hóng lóng).
红龙 refers to a mythical creature characterized by having red scales.
What does it mean word for word?
The term is composed of 红 (hóng), meaning red and 龙 (lóng), meaning dragon.
Which one should you use?
赤龙 is a more formal version of the term.
How do you pronounce it?
hóng lóng
Did you know?
- While 'dragon' in English often implies a fearsome monster, the word 龙 in the phrase 红龙 refers to a divine being that controls the weather and water, rather than a beast that needs to be slain.
- In Chinese astrology and symbolism, the dragon is the only animal in the zodiac that is a mythical creature rather than a real animal.
- While 红龙 describes a red dragon, the word 龙 is often used as a synonym for 'imperial' or 'emperor' because the emperor was seen as the incarnation of the dragon.
Examples in context
- 看那条漂亮的红龙！Look at that beautiful red dragon!
- 我梦想有一天能骑上一条红龙。I dream of riding a red dragon someday.
- 那条红龙很威武。Nà tiáo hónglóng hěn wēiwǔ.That red dragon looks very powerful.
- 故事里有一条红龙。Gùshì lǐ yǒu yì tiáo hónglóng.There is a red dragon in the story.
- 我想要一只红龙的模型。Wǒ xiǎng yào yì zhī hónglóng de móxíng.I want a red dragon model.
Example conversation
Wei and Xiaowen are looking at a picture book in a cafe.
- 伟 Wei你看，这本画册里有一条红龙。Nǐ kàn, zhè běn huàcè lǐ yǒu yì tiáo hónglóng.Look, there is a red dragon in this picture book.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen真的吗？它的鳞片很漂亮。Zhēn de ma? Tā de línpiàn hěn piàoliang.Really? Its scales are beautiful.
- 伟 Wei晓雯，你也觉得这只红龙很酷吗？Xiǎowén, nǐ yě juéde zhè zhī hónglóng hěn kù ma?Xiaowen, do you also think this red dragon is cool?
- 晓雯 Xiaowen是的，它看起来很神奇。Shì de, tā kàn qǐlái hěn shénqí.Yes, it looks magical.
