生肖
shēngxiào
Chinese zodiac
生肖 (shēngxiào) is a person's zodiac animal, one of the twelve animals in the Chinese zodiac cycle. The animal changes at the Lunar New Year, not on January 1st.
What does 生肖 (shēngxiào) mean?
生肖 (shēngxiào) means “Chinese zodiac” in English. Word for word, it breaks down as “birth animal.”
When to use it
Neutral. It's common to ask someone "你的生肖是什么？" (What's your zodiac animal?) as a conversation starter, especially around Lunar New Year.
How to pronounce it
Sounds like "shung-shyao." 生 is high and level (first tone), and 肖 falls sharply (fourth tone).
Other ways to say it
- 十二生肖shí'èr shēngxiàothe twelve Chinese zodiac animals
- 你的生肖是什么？nǐde shēngxiào shì shénme?What's your zodiac animal?
- 属相shǔxiàngzodiac animal (another common term)
Examples
我的生肖是龙。
wǒde shēngxiào shì lóng.
My zodiac animal is the dragon.
你知道自己的生肖是什么吗？
nǐ zhīdào zìjǐde shēngxiào shì shénme ma?
Do you know what your zodiac animal is?
十二生肖包括鼠、牛、虎、兔等等。
shí'èr shēngxiào bāokuò shǔ, niú, hǔ, tù děngděng.
The twelve zodiac animals include the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, and so on.
Pro tip: Remember that your生肖 changes at the Lunar New Year, not on the Western New Year (January 1st).
Related phrases
你属什么？ · What's your chinese zodiac sign老鼠 · Rat粉红色的龙 · Pink dragon
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