小腿
/ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ tʰu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/
The English word "shank" can be translated into Chinese as 小腿.
小腿 is a noun used to refer to the lower part of the leg.
Meaning: lower part of the leg (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term 小腿 is composed of 小 (small) and 腿 (leg), literally meaning 'small leg'.
Which one should you use?
While 小腿 refers to the lower leg (shin/calf area), the term 大腿 refers to the thigh.
How do you pronounce it?
/ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻³⁵ tʰu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/
Did you know?
- In Chinese culture, the 'small leg' 小腿 is often associated with agility, but the 'large leg' 大腿 is used in the idiom 抱大腿, meaning to cling to a powerful person for support.
- In Chinese, the word for 'calf' (the muscle) is often expressed as 小腿肚 rather than just 小腿, adding the character for 'belly' to describe the fleshy part.
- There is a Chinese expression 腿软, meaning 'legs are soft', which is used to describe being terrified rather than physically weak.
Examples in context
- 他的小腿很粗。Tā de xiǎotuǐ hěn cū.His lower legs are very thick.
- 她的小腿线条很美。Tā de xiǎotuǐ xiàntiáo hěn měi.Her lower legs have beautiful lines.
Example conversation
Zhiqiang and Jiayi are talking after a long hike.
- 佳怡 Jiayi志强，你累吗？Zhìqiáng, nǐ lèi ma?Zhiqiang, are you tired?
- 志强 Zhiqiang我很累，小腿在抽筋。Wǒ hěn lèi, xiǎotuǐ zài chōujīn.I'm exhausted, my calves are cramping.
- 佳怡 Jiayi快坐下来休息一下。Kuài zuò xiàlái xiūxí yīxià.Quick, sit down and rest for a bit.
- 志强 Zhiqiang谢谢，我需要揉揉腿。Xièxiè, wǒ xūyào róurou tuǐ.Thanks, I need to rub my legs.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 小腿, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
