老虎
lǎohǔ
Tiger
老虎 (lǎohǔ) is the common everyday word for 'tiger' in Mandarin Chinese, referring to the animal itself. For the zodiac animal, Chinese speakers typically use just 虎 (hǔ).
What does 老虎 (lǎohǔ) mean?
老虎 (lǎohǔ) means “tiger” in English.
When to use it
Neutral. When referring to the zodiac animal, use 虎 (hǔ), as in 虎年 (hǔnián) for 'Year of the Tiger' or 我属虎 (wǒ shǔ hǔ) for 'My zodiac sign is the tiger'.
How to pronounce it
Sounds like "lao-hoo." Both syllables are third tones, so the first changes to a rising tone: you hear "láo-hǔ."
Other ways to say it
- 虎hǔtiger (zodiac animal, or in compounds)
- 虎年hǔniánYear of the Tiger
- 虎口hǔkǒutiger's mouth (a dangerous place)
Examples
动物园里有两只老虎。
dòngwùyuán lǐ yǒu liǎng zhī lǎohǔ.
There are two tigers in the zoo.
老虎是一种凶猛的动物。
lǎohǔ shì yī zhǒng xiōngměng de dòngwù.
The tiger is a fierce animal.
他属虎，今年是他的本命年。
tā shǔ hǔ, jīnnián shì tā de běnmìngnián.
His zodiac sign is the tiger; this year is his birth year.
Pro tip: The character 老 (lǎo) in 老虎 does not mean 'old'; it's a common prefix in some animal names, like 老鼠 (lǎoshǔ, mouse), and doesn't carry its usual meaning of age here.
Related phrases
老鼠 · Rat牛 · Ox兔子 · Rabbit
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