Chinese for Living Blog Category: Animals

Mosquito repellent spray, mosquito coils and an electric swatter arranged on a bright apartment windowsill in China, illustrating how to say mosquito in Chinese

How to say mosquito in Chinese? 蚊子 wén zi

It was 3 AM in my first Shanghai summer when I learned the most urgent vocabulary of my life: a high-pitched whine circling my ear, lights on, me standing on the bed with a slipper. I did not know the word for my enemy. Now I do, and so will you: how to say mosquito […]

How to say whale in Chinese? 鲸鱼 jīng yú

How to say whale in Chinese? 鲸鱼 jīng yú

If you want to talk about ocean animals in Chinese, you’ll need the right word for whale. This simple term lets you communicate clearly in class, while traveling, or just chatting with friends. In Mandarin, how to say whale in Chinese is 鲸鱼 (jīng yú). People often shorten it to just 鲸 (jīng) in casual […]

How to say beef in Chinese? 牛肉 niú ròu

How to say beef in Chinese? 牛肉 niú ròu

If you plan to order food, shop at a market, or follow a recipe, knowing the right word really matters. Chinese menus and conversations move quickly, and a tiny mistake can change your dish. This guide aims to clear things up right away. The word for how to say beef in Chinese is 牛肉, pronounced […]

How to say horse in Chinese? 马 mǎ

How to say horse in Chinese? 马 mǎ

The word for how to say horse in Chinese is 马 (mǎ). It’s one of those beginner basic, instantly recognizable characters in simplified Mandarin Chinese. This single character represents the animal in both formal writing and everyday conversation throughout China. The character 马 pops up in tons of Chinese expressions and idiomatic phrases, not just […]

How to say turkey in Chinese? 土耳其 tǔ ěr qí 火鸡 huǒ jī

How to say turkey in Chinese? 土耳其 tǔ ěr qí 火鸡 huǒ jī

Chinese opens doors to a rich culture and a language spoken by over a billion people. At some point, you’ll probably need the word “turkey,” whether you’re talking about the country or the bird at dinner. The formal words for how to say turkey in Chinese is 土耳其 (tǔ ěr qí) when you mean the […]

How to say dragon in Chinese? 龙 lóng

How to say dragon in Chinese? 龙 lóng

Dragons have deep roots in Chinese culture. You’ll spot them everywhere, from old legends to modern festivals. Lots of folks want to pronounce this word right when they’re learning Chinese or just curious about the culture. The word for how to say dragon in Chinese is 龙, pronounced “lóng” with a rising second tone. The […]

How to say chicken in Chinese? 鸡 jī

How to say chicken in Chinese? 鸡 jī

Learning how to say chicken in Chinese opens doors to ordering food, shopping at markets, and chatting with Chinese speakers. The word for chicken in Chinese is “jī” (鸡) in simplified characters or “雞” in traditional characters. This simple word pops up in tons of Chinese dishes and everyday conversations. Most Chinese language learners start […]

How to say cat in Chinese? 猫 māo

How to say cat in Chinese? 猫 māo

Learning Chinese animal words cracks open the language and culture in a way textbooks just can’t. When folks start learning Chinese, they usually want to know basic vocabulary, words they’ll actually use day-to-day. Especially if you own a cat in China. The word for how to say cat in Chinese is 猫 (māo), and honestly, […]

How to say safari in Chinese? 野生动物园 yě shēng dòng wù yuán

How to say safari in Chinese? 野生动物园 yě shēng dòng wù yuán

Planning a trip to a Chinese-speaking region and want to talk about wildlife adventures? The most common way for how to say safari in Chinese is 野生动物园 (yě shēng dòng wù yuán), which literally means “wildlife park.” But honestly, there are a few other ways to capture the safari vibe, depending on what you’re after. […]

How to say pet store in Chinese? 宠物店 chǒng wù diàn

How to say pet store in Chinese? 宠物店 chǒng wù diàn

Figuring out how to say pet store in Chinese can really help when you’re traveling or living in a Chinese-speaking area. If you’ve ever needed to buy food for your dog or pick up toys for your cat, having the right words just makes everything smoother. The Chinese term for pet store is 宠物店 (chǒngwù […]

How to say dog in Chinese? 狗 gǒu

How to say dog in Chinese? 狗 gǒu

Dogs are man’s best friend, hands down. I’ve had my own dog in my youth and watched many friends’ dogs in China over the years. If you want to know how to say dog in Chinese, just pronounce it like “gǒu” and write it as 狗. This word pops up all the time in daily […]

How to say turtle in Chinese? 龟 guī

How to say turtle in Chinese? 龟 guī

The word for how to say turtle in Chinese is 龟 (guī), pronounced “gway.” Learning this word is a neat way to connect with Chinese language and culture, especially if you love animals or plan to visit China. There are actually a few ways to say turtle in Chinese, depending on the situation. For example, […]