蝾螈
róngyuán
The English word 'salamander' is 蝾螈 (róngyuán) in Chinese.
蝾螈 is the most common and widely used term for a salamander.
Meaning: amphibian (noun)
Which one should you use?
While 蝾螈 is the standard term, 火蜥蜴 is also used in scientific or formal contexts.
How do you pronounce it?
róngyuán
Did you know?
- Chinese distinguishes between the general 蝾螈 and the 大鲵 known as the giant salamander, which is treated as a high-value delicacy in some regions.
- The formal term 火蜥蜴 literally translates to 'fire lizard'.
- The character 蝾 contains the 'insect' radical 虫 on the left, which in ancient Chinese categorized almost all crawling creatures including reptiles and amphibians.
Examples in context
- 我昨天在河边看到一只蝾螈。Yesterday, I saw a salamander by the river.
- 科学家最近发现了一种新的山濑蝾螈。Scientists recently discovered a new species of salamander.
- 这幅画上的火蜥蜴颜色真是美丽。The colors of the salamander in this painting are truly beautiful.
- 这只蝾螈在水里。Zhè zhǐ róngyuán zài shuǐ lǐ.This salamander is in the water.
- 我在动物园看到了蝾螈。Wǒ zài dòngwùyuán kàndàole róngyuán.I saw a salamander at the zoo.
- 蝾螈是一种两栖动物。Róngyuán shì yī zhǒng liǎngqī dòngwù.A salamander is a type of amphibian.
Example conversation
Haoran and Jiayi are looking at a pond in a park.
- 浩然 Haoran佳怡，你看那个是什么？Jiāyí, nǐ kàn nàge shì shénme?Jiayi, look, what is that?
- 佳怡 Jiayi那是一只蝾螈。Nà shì yī zhī róngyuán.That is a salamander.
- 浩然 Haoran它看起来很特别。Tā kàn qǐlái hěn tèbié.It looks very special.
- 佳怡 Jiayi是的，蝾螈很有趣。Shì de, róngyuán hěn yǒuqù.Yes, salamanders are very interesting.
