这是什么动物？
zhè shì shénme dòngwu?
What animal is this · trad. 這是什麼動物？
这是什么动物？ (zhè shì shénme dòngwù) is a common question used to ask about the identity of an animal. It's perfect for learning new animal names, especially during activities like visiting a zoo.
What does 这是什么动物？ (zhè shì shénme dòngwu?) mean?
这是什么动物？ (zhè shì shénme dòngwu?) means “what animal is this” in English. Word for word, it breaks down as “This is what animal?”
When to use it
Neutral and direct. To ask about any object, you can say 这是什么？ (zhè shì shénme), “What is this?” For an animal further away, use 那是什么动物？ (nà shì shénme dòngwù), “What animal is that?”
How to pronounce it
Sounds like “juh SHIR shuhn-muh DONG-woo.” Pay attention to the falling tones on 是 and 动物, and the rising tone on 什.
Other ways to say it
- 这是什么？zhè shì shénme?What is this? (general)
- 那是什么动物？nà shì shénme dòngwu?What animal is that?
- 你喜欢什么动物？nǐ xǐhuan shénme dòngwu?What animal do you like?
Examples
这是什么动物？它有长长的脖子。
zhè shì shénme dòngwu? tā yǒu chángchang de bózi.
What animal is this? It has a long neck.
看，这是什么动物？是老虎吗？
kàn, zhè shì shénme dòngwu? shì lǎohǔ ma?
Look, what animal is this? Is it a tiger?
在动物园里，孩子们总是问：这是什么动物？
zài dòngwu yuánli, háizimen zǒngshì wèn: zhè shì shénme dòngwu?
At the zoo, children always ask: What animal is this?
Pro tip: The word 动物 (dòngwù) means 'animal,' making this phrase very useful for expanding your vocabulary about different creatures, especially when visiting places like a zoo.
Related phrases
数一数 · Let's count这是什么颜色？ · What color is this小狗怎么叫？ · What does the doggy say
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