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March 24, 2026
尾巴wěiba(wei3ba5)
尾巴 (wěi ba) refers to the tail of an animal, commonly used in both literal and figurative contexts. In everyday conversation, it can describe the physical tail of pets like dogs and cats, but it may also be used metaphorically to discuss the trailing end of various things, such as a story or an event.
Frequency#4814DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, animals often hold symbolic meanings, and the tail (尾巴) can represent loyalty and companionship, especially when referring to pets. For example, the tail of a dog symbolizes its happiness and eagerness to please.
Memory Tip
Imagine a dog wagging its tail (尾巴) excitedly. The character 尾 (wěi) looks like a tail itself, with the radical 尾 resembling a wiggly tail shape. Picture the dog saying 'Wee!' as it wags its tail, connecting the sound to the pronunciation.
Meanings of 尾巴
wěiba(wei3ba5)
1tail
2colloquial pr. [yi3 ba5]
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 尾巴
尾巴Simplified
—Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#4814Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L5IntermediateTOCFLL4HSKKL2CEFRB1
Podcast: 尾巴
Podcast: 尾巴
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AI Study Notes for 尾巴
Quick Contrast
尾巴 (tail) vs 尾 (end) — use 尾巴 when specifically referring to the tail of an animal, while 尾 is more general and can refer to the end of anything.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a dog wagging its tail (尾巴) excitedly. The character 尾 (wěi) looks like a tail itself, with the radical 尾 resembling a wiggly tail shape. Picture the dog saying 'Wee!' as it wags its tail, connecting the sound to the pronunciation.
Usage Notes
When using 尾巴, remember that it is typically informal. Be cautious not to confuse it with similar words that may apply in formal contexts. A common mistake is to use it in overly formal writing, where alternatives like '尾' (tail) might be more appropriate.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 5 word, 尾巴 connects well with other animal-related vocabulary and can help expand your understanding of descriptive language. Focus on its usage in sentences to enhance your conversational skills.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, animals often hold symbolic meanings, and the tail (尾巴) can represent loyalty and companionship, especially when referring to pets. For example, the tail of a dog symbolizes its happiness and eagerness to please.
Common Mistakes
Learners might mistakenly pronounce 尾巴 as [yi3 ba5] instead of [wei3 ba5]. Another common error is using it in overly formal situations where a simpler term like 尾 would be more appropriate.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 尾巴
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Grammar Patterns of 尾巴
尾巴 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
那只棕鼠两只耳朵向前支着，一条长____布满鳞片。
The brown rat has prominent ears and a long scaly tail.
The brown rat has prominent ears and a long scaly tail.
2
遇有危险，食蚁兽会迅速用尾巴卷住树枝。
yù yǒu wēi xiǎn， ， shí yǐ shòu huì xùn sù yòng wěi bā juàn zhù shù。
When in danger, the anteater lashes its tail round a branch.
3
卷尾巴的狗
juàn wěi bā de gǒu
a dog with a curly tail
4
尾巴上有个结的狗
wěi bā shàng yǒu gè jié de gǒu
a dog with a kink in its tail
5
那条狗摇着尾巴跑上前去。
nà tiáo gǒu yáo zháo wěi bā pǎo shàng qián qù。
The dog ran up, wagging its tail.
6
狗摇尾巴以报答人们的爱护.
gǒu yáo wěi bā yǐ bào dá rén mén de ài hù.
A dog reacts to kindness by wagging its tail.
7
你拉猫的尾巴太顽皮了.
nǐ lā māo de wěi bā tài wán pí le.
It was naughty of you to pull the cat's tail.
8
你真淘气,竟然拉猫尾巴.
nǐ zhēn táo qì, , jìng rán lā māo wěi.
It is naughty of you to pull the cat's tail.
9
你这个淘气鬼, 别拉猫的尾巴了.
nǐ zhè gè táo qì guǐ, , bié lā māo de wěi bā.
You naughty boy, stop pulling the cat's tail.
10
他记起那些天晴的夜晚,以及照在狐狸银色尾巴上的明亮的月亮.
tā jì qǐ nà xiē tiān qíng de yè wǎn, , yǐ jí zhào zài hú lí yín sè wěi bā shàng de míng liàng de yuè.
He remembered those clear nights and the moon bright on the silver tails of the foxes.
Cultural Notes for 尾巴
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, animals often hold symbolic meanings, and the tail (尾巴) can represent loyalty and companionship, especially when referring to pets. For example, the tail of a dog symbolizes its happiness and eagerness to please.
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
In Western cultures, while the tail is often seen merely as a physical feature, in Chinese culture, it can carry deeper symbolic meanings reflecting emotions and relationships.
Frequently Asked Questions about 尾巴
No, 尾巴 can also be used metaphorically to refer to the end of a story or event.
It is pronounced as 'wěi ba', with the third tone on 'wei' and the neutral tone on 'ba'.
It's better to use 尾 (wěi) in formal contexts, as 尾巴 is more colloquial.
