应龙
Yìnglóng
Winged dragon · trad. 應龍
应龙 (yìnglóng) refers to a specific, powerful divine dragon with wings in ancient Chinese mythology. It is often associated with rain, floods, and heroic deeds, such as assisting the Yellow Emperor.
What does 应龙 (Yìnglóng) mean?
应龙 (Yìnglóng) means “winged dragon” in English. Word for word, it breaks down as “Ying Dragon.”
When to use it
Formal and mythological. This term refers to a specific creature from Chinese folklore. If you want to describe any dragon that happens to have wings, you might use a more general descriptive phrase like 有翅膀的龙 (yǒu chìbǎng de lóng, 'dragon with wings').
How to pronounce it
Sounds like “EENG-LOONG.” The first syllable, 应, is a high, flat tone. The second syllable, 龙, is a rising tone.
Other ways to say it
- 有翅膀的龙yǒu chìbǎng de lóngdragon with wings (general description)
- 飞龙fēilóngflying dragon
Examples
应龙是中国古代神话中的一种神兽。
Yìnglóng shì Zhōngguó gǔdài shénhuà zhōng de yī zhǒng shénshòu.
The Yinglong is a divine beast in ancient Chinese mythology.
传说应龙帮助黄帝战胜了蚩尤。
Chuánshuō Yìnglóng bāngzhù Huángdì zhànshèng le Chīyóu.
Legend has it that the Yinglong helped the Yellow Emperor defeat Chiyou.
在西方奇幻故事里，常常有带翅膀的龙。
Zài Xīfāng qíhuàn gùshi lǐ, chángcháng yǒu dài chìbǎng de lóng.
In Western fantasy stories, there are often dragons with wings.
Pro tip: While 应龙 specifically refers to a mythical creature, if you simply want to describe a 'dragon with wings' in a general sense (e.g., in a fantasy novel), using 有翅膀的龙 is more flexible and less specific to Chinese mythology.
Related phrases
角龙 · Horned dragon龙龟 · Dragon turtle真龙 · Imperial dragon
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