海豹
hǎibào
The English word seal (referring to the pinniped animal) is translated into Chinese as 海豹 (hǎibào). Wiktionary also lists 海狗 (hǎigǒu).
Meaning: pinniped (noun)
Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 海豹 | hǎibào |
| 海狗 | hǎigǒu |
When referring to the animal, you can use the terms 海豹 or 海狗. In formal contexts where a legal seal is required, the term 公章 is used to represent a company or organization.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 海狗 is composed of 海 (sea) and 狗 (dog).
Which one should you use?
While both terms refer to pinnipeds, 海豹 (hǎibào) is the more standard biological term for 'seal', whereas 海狗 (hǎigǒu) is often used colloquially or specifically for certain species like fur seals.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
hǎibào
Did you know?
- In Chinese internet slang, the term 海狗 is no longer just a way to say 'fur seal'. It is sometimes used to mock people who act as 'internet water armies' or paid commenters.
- The character 豹 in 海豹 means 'leopard', meaning the Chinese name for a seal literally translates to 'sea leopard'.
- Because the word 豹 means 'leopard', the name 海豹 evokes an image of a sleek, spotted predator rather than a clumsy pinniped.
Examples in context
- 公司的公章在哪里？Where is the company's seal?
- 我今天在市场上买了一枚新的图章。I bought a new personal seal at the market today.
- 这个文档需要盖上你的印章。This document needs to be stamped with your seal.
- 那只海豹在游泳。Nà zhǐ hǎibào zài yóuyǒng.That seal is swimming.
- 海豹的皮肤很光滑。Hǎibào de pífū hěn guānghuá.The seal's skin is very smooth.
- 我们在水族馆看到了海豹。Wǒmen zài shuǐzúguǎn kàndào le hǎibào.We saw a seal at the aquarium.
Example conversation
At the zoo, looking at a marine life exhibit.
- 佳怡 Jiayi浩然，快看那只海豹！Hàorán, kuài kàn nà zhǐ hǎibào!Haoran, look at that seal!
- 浩然 Haoran它真的很可爱。Tā zhēn de hěn kě'ài.It is really cute.
- 佳怡 Jiayi它的动作很敏捷。Tā de dòngzuò hěn mǐnjié.Its movements are very agile.
- 浩然 Haoran佳怡，我也这么觉得。Jiāyí, wǒ yě zhème juéde.Jiayi, I think so too.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “seal” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 海狗, CC BY-SA 4.0.
