Shihtzu township in Pingtung County 屏東縣|屏东县[Ping2 dong1 Xian4], Taiwan
HSK 6, unknown, rank #4512, Hard
狮子
shīzi
Leo (star sign)
HSK 6, n, rank #4512, Hard
狮子
shīzi
Shihtzu township in Pingtung County 屏東縣
HSK 6, n, rank #4512, Hard
狮子
shīzi
>屏东县[Píng dōng Xiàn], Taiwan
HSK 6, n, rank #4512, Hard
狮子
shīzi
lion
HSK 6, n, rank #4512, Hard
狮子
shīzi
>只[zhī],頭
HSK 6, n, rank #4512, Hard
狮子
shīzi
>头[tóu]
HSK 6, n, rank #4512, Hard
狮子
shīzi
Shihtzu township in Pingtung County 屏東縣|屏东县[Ping2 dong1 Xian4], Taiwan
HSK 6, unknown, rank #4512, Hard
shīzi(shi1zi5)
primary
T1
1Leo (star sign)
2Shihtzu township in Pingtung County 屏東縣
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
狮子(獅子)shīzi(shi1zi5)
狮子 (shīzi) means 'lion' in Mandarin and can also refer to the astrological sign Leo. It is commonly used in both literal contexts, referring to the animal, and metaphorical contexts, such as describing someone with lion-like qualities, like bravery. In Taiwan, it also denotes a specific township.
Frequency#4512DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the lion is often associated with strength and protection. The lion dance, performed during festivals, is believed to bring good luck and chase away evil spirits, highlighting the lion's significance in celebrations.
Memory Tip
Imagine a fierce lion roaring in the savannah. The character 狮 (shī) resembles a lion with its radical 犭 (dog) suggesting a wild animal. Visualize the lion as a star in the sky to remember its connection to Leo, the zodiac sign.
Meanings of 狮子
shīzi(shi1zi5)
primary
1Leo (star sign)
2Shihtzu township in Pingtung County 屏東縣
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 狮子
狮子Simplified
獅子Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#4512Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L6AdvancedBCT✓CEFRC2
Podcast: 狮子
Podcast: 狮子
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AI Study Notes for 狮子
Quick Contrast
虎 (hǔ) - use 狮子 when referring to the lion specifically, whereas 虎 refers to the tiger.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a fierce lion roaring in the savannah. The character 狮 (shī) resembles a lion with its radical 犭 (dog) suggesting a wild animal. Visualize the lion as a star in the sky to remember its connection to Leo, the zodiac sign.
Usage Notes
Be careful with the pronunciation; the first syllable 'shī' has a high flat tone, while 'zi' has a falling tone. This word is used in both formal and informal contexts, but when referring to the zodiac, it may appear more in casual discussions about personality traits. Common collocations include '狮子座' (Leo sign) and '狮子舞' (lion dance).
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 5 word, 狮子 connects to other vocabulary related to animals and zodiac signs. Focus on using it in contexts that involve describing personalities or cultural practices, such as zodiac discussions and traditional festivals.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the lion is often associated with strength and protection. The lion dance, performed during festivals, is believed to bring good luck and chase away evil spirits, highlighting the lion's significance in celebrations.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse the pronunciation of '狮' (shī) and '子' (zi), leading to miscommunication. For example, saying 'shi zi' with equal tones can be incorrect; ensure you apply the correct tones: shī (first tone) and zi (third tone).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 狮子
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Grammar Patterns of 狮子
狮子 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 7 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
当他像____般地咆哮时,谁敢和他顶嘴?
Who dares to answer back when he roars like a lion?
Example Sentences for 狮子 (9)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
当他像狮子般地咆哮时,谁敢和他顶嘴?
dāng tā xiàng shī zǐ bān dì páo xiào shí, , shuí gǎn hé tā dǐng?
Who dares to answer back when he roars like a lion?
2
又射偏了几次之后,他们终于把两支箭射入了狮子的胸膛.
yòu shè piān le jī cì zhī hòu, , tā mén zhōng yú bǎ liǎng zhī jiàn shè rù le shī zǐ de xiōng.
After more misses, they finally put two arrows into the lion's chest.
3
这对五年前发现的狮子是金属制的.
zhè duì wǔ nián qián fā xiàn de shī zǐ shì jīn shǔ zhì de.
The pair of lions which were found five years ago were metallic.
4
走投无路的猫会变得和狮子一样凶猛.
zǒu tóu wú lù de māo huì biàn dé hé shī zǐ yī yàng xiōng měng.
zhè zhī shī zǐ shì gè chǒu guài de sī fēn kè sī, , gēn tā mén yī yàng mí shī zài zhè hēi àn de shēn yuān.
The lion was a monster sphinx which was astray like them in that gulf of darkness.
8
狮子蹲下身，准备猛扑。
shī zǐ dūn xià shēn， ， zhǔn bèi měng。
The lion crouched ready to pounce.
9
这枚硬币反面的图案是个戴皇冠的狮子.
zhè méi yìng bì fǎn miàn de tú àn shì gè dài huáng guān de shī zǐ.
The coin has a crowned lion on its reverse.
Cultural Notes for 狮子
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the lion is often associated with strength and protection. The lion dance, performed during festivals, is believed to bring good luck and chase away evil spirits, highlighting the lion's significance in celebrations.
Frequently Asked Questions about 狮子
'狮' is the character for 'lion' itself, while '狮子' is the noun form that refers to the animal in a more general sense.
You can say '狮子是一种非常强壮的动物' (The lion is a very strong animal), or refer to someone's zodiac sign by saying '她是狮子座' (She is a Leo).
Yes, '狮子' can be used metaphorically to describe someone as brave or strong, similar to how we might say someone has the 'heart of a lion'.
