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老虎 (lǎo hǔ) — tiger

Definition

noun
tiger
Measure word · 只

Examples

  • 老虎。
    Wǒ zài dòng wù yuán kàn dào yì zhī lǎo hǔ.
    I saw a tiger at the zoo.
  • 老虎。
    lǎo hǔ De tiáo wén hěn piào liang.
    Tigers' stripes are very beautiful.
  • 老虎。
    Xiǎo péng yǒu dōu xǐ huan lǎo hǔ.
    Children all like tigers.

Origin

Derived word
构词法gòucífǎ
前缀qiánzhuìPrefix

A fixed syllable in front that adds a shade of meaning but carries none of its own.

老lǎoprefix
虎hǔtiger

老 gives the familiar form, and 虎 is the tiger itself.

Characters in this word

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

The shape 老 combines 人 (man), 毛 (hair), and 匕 (cane), showing a man with long hair leaning on a cane.

Open 老 →

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

虎 originally drew a tiger's head. Its body disappeared, and the legs and tail became the lower part.

Open 虎 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 4HSK 2.0 Level 4Animals & Mammals

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