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March 24, 2026
狮(獅)shī(shi1)
The character 狮 (shī) means 'lion' in Mandarin. It is commonly used to refer to the animal itself, as well as in idiomatic expressions and cultural references, such as in the context of bravery or strength. In Chinese, the lion is often associated with guardianship and protection, especially in the form of lion statues found in front of temples and palaces.
Strokes9Radical犭Frequency#8416DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, lions are often depicted in lion dance performances, which are an important part of celebrations such as the Lunar New Year. These performances are believed to bring good luck and drive away evil spirits.
Memory Tip
Imagine a fierce lion (狮) roaring in the savannah. The character's left component, 犬 (quǎn), represents a dog, hinting at its animal nature, while the right component, 诗 (shī), sounds like the pronunciation of 'shī'. Picture a lion composing poetry to show its noble character.
Meanings of 狮
shī(shi1)
1lion
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 狮
狮Simplified
獅Traditional
9Strokes
犭Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#8416Frequency Rank
Podcast: 狮
Podcast: 狮
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AI Study Notes for 狮
Quick Contrast
虎 (hǔ) vs 狮 (shī): Use 狮 for 'lion' specifically, whereas 虎 refers to 'tiger'.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a fierce lion (狮) roaring in the savannah. The character's left component, 犬 (quǎn), represents a dog, hinting at its animal nature, while the right component, 诗 (shī), sounds like the pronunciation of 'shī'. Picture a lion composing poetry to show its noble character.
Usage Notes
Be mindful of the tone; 'shī' is pronounced with a first tone, which can be easily confused with other similar-sounding words. It is often used in both formal and informal contexts, such as discussing wildlife or cultural symbols. Common collocations include '狮子' (shīzi), which means 'lion' and is the more commonly used term in conversation.
HSK Study Tips
Although 狮 is not listed in the official HSK levels, it is beneficial for learners to recognize it when discussing animals or cultural symbols. Students should focus on its pronunciation and association with related vocabulary, especially in contexts involving animals.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, lions are often depicted in lion dance performances, which are an important part of celebrations such as the Lunar New Year. These performances are believed to bring good luck and drive away evil spirits.
Common Mistakes
Learners may confuse 狮 (shī) with similar-sounding words such as 师 (shī), which means 'teacher'. A common mistake is to pronounce it incorrectly as 'shi' (third tone), while it should be pronounced as 'shī' (first tone).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 狮
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Grammar Patterns of 狮
狮 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). The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Don't poke your umbrella throughthe barsof the lion's cage.
10
他去年秋天被底特律雄狮队选作队员了.
tā qù nián qiū tiān bèi dǐ tè lǜ xióng shī duì xuǎn zuò duì yuán le.
He was drafted last autumn by the Detroit Lions.
Cultural Notes for 狮
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, lions are often depicted in lion dance performances, which are an important part of celebrations such as the Lunar New Year. These performances are believed to bring good luck and drive away evil spirits.
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
While lions are often seen as symbols of bravery and royalty in both cultures, in Western contexts they are frequently associated with the jungle or savannah, whereas in Chinese culture, they hold a more protective and auspicious role.
Word Family of 狮
Words Containing This Character19
狮子shīziLeo (star sign)獅子
狮子座Leo (constellation and sign of the zodiac)獅子座
狮shīlion獅
狮子狗Pekingese獅子狗
美洲狮cougar美洲獅
海狮sea lion海獅
雄狮male lion雄獅
石狮Shishi county level city in Quanzhou 泉州[Quánzhōu], Fujian石獅
舞狮lion dance (traditional Chinese dance form)舞獅
石狮市Shishi county level city in Quanzhou 泉州[Quánzhōu], Fujian石獅市
狮子头lit. lion's head獅子頭
狮身人面像sphinx獅身人面像
狮子山Sierra Leone (Tw)獅子山
狮城Lion city, nickname for Singapore 新加坡[Xīnjiāpō]獅城
河东狮吼lit. the lioness from Hedong roars (idiom)河東獅吼
狮泉河Sengge Tsangpo or Shiquan River in west Tibet, the upper reaches of the Indus獅泉河
金狮奖Golden Lion, award at the Venice Film Festival金獅獎
狮子山区Shizishan district of Tongling city 銅陵市|铜陵市[Tónglíngshì], Anhui獅子山區
小狮座Leo Minor (constellation)小獅座
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 狮子 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 狮
Both terms refer to a lion, but 狮子 (shīzi) is the more commonly used, everyday term, while 狮 (shī) can be used in more formal or literary contexts.
Yes, one example is '狮子大开口' (shīzi dà kāi kǒu), which means to ask for a large amount, often used in negotiations.
The character 狮 is pronounced with a high, flat tone, 'shī'. Make sure to practice the first tone to differentiate it from other characters.
