生肖
shēngxiào
In Chinese, the phrase for zodiac can be expressed in several ways. The default form is 生肖 (shēngxiào). Wiktionary also lists 屬相 / 属相 (shǔxiàng) and 十二宮 / 十二宫 (shí'èrgōng).
Meaning: twelve signs in astrology (noun)
Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 生肖 | shēngxiào |
| 屬相 / 属相 | shǔxiàng |
| 十二宮 / 十二宫 | shí'èrgōng |
The term 生肖 refers to the Chinese zodiac based on animals. A common colloquial way to refer to a person's zodiac sign is 属相, which is often used when discussing compatibility or fortune-telling.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 生肖 literally means the signs one is born under. It is composed of 生 (birth/life) and 肖 (resemble/likeness).
Which one should you use?
While 生肖 refers specifically to the Chinese animal zodiac, 十二宫 refers to the twelve signs of Western astrology.
How does it change in a sentence?
To ask someone about their zodiac sign, you use the verb 属 (shǔ) in the phrase 属什么 (shǔ shénme), which means 'what sign do you belong to?'
How do you pronounce it?
shēngxiào
Did you know?
- The Chinese zodiac is based on a 12 year cycle, but it is actually part of a larger 60 year cycle. This happens because the 12 animals of the 生肖 combine with five elemental phases.
- In Chinese culture, knowing someone's 属相 is often a prerequisite for calculating marriage compatibility, known as 合婚. Certain signs are considered 'clashing' and may be advised against marrying.
- The absence of the cat from the 生肖 is a famous cultural myth often explained through a clever trick involving a race between animals.
Examples in context
- 很多人都會問，生肖的十二種動物裡為什麼沒有貓呢？A lot of people ask why the cat does not appear among the twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac.This sentence is useful for discussing why the cat is missing from the twelve animals of the 生肖.Tatoeba #13119390 by LeviHighway, translation #737867 by eastasiastudent
- 十二生肖裡沒有貓的原因很簡單。The reason the cat is not included in the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac is very simple.This sentence is useful for explaining the reason the cat is not included in the 生肖.Tatoeba #737869 by DaoSeng, translation #737871 by eastasiastudent
- 從根本上說，十二生肖的形成，與動物崇拜有關。On a fundamental level, the 12 forms of the Chinese zodiac are related to animal worship.This sentence is useful for relating the formation of the 生肖 to animal worship.Tatoeba #737782 by eastasiastudent, translation #737785 by eastasiastudent
- 你的生肖是什么？我的是龙。What is your zodiac sign? Mine is the Dragon.
- 9 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Yuting and Wei are chatting about their birth years.
- 雨婷 Yuting你的生肖是什么？Nǐ de shēngxiào shì shénme?What is your zodiac sign?
- 伟 Wei我是龙，你呢？Wǒ shì lóng, nǐ ne?I am a dragon, how about you?
- 雨婷 Yuting我的生肖是兔。Wǒ de shēngxiào shì tù.My zodiac sign is the rabbit.
- 伟 Wei原来如此，很有意思。Yuánlái rúcǐ, hěn yǒu yìsi.I see, that's very interesting.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “zodiac” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
