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March 24, 2026
老虎lǎohǔ(lao3hu3)
老虎 (lǎohǔ) means 'tiger' in Mandarin. It is commonly used to refer to the animal itself, as well as in cultural contexts, such as stories or idiomatic expressions. The term carries connotations of strength and fierceness, often used symbolically in literature and folklore.
Strokes14Frequency#5007DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the tiger is one of the 12 zodiac animals and symbolizes power and bravery. It is often depicted in art and folklore, representing protection from evil spirits.
Memory Tip
Think of a fierce old tiger (老 lǎo means 'old') prowling through the jungle. The character 老 (lǎo) looks like a person with a long beard, representing wisdom or age, while 虎 (hǔ) resembles a tiger's shape, reminding you of its ferocity.
Meanings of 老虎
lǎohǔ(lao3hu3)
1tiger
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About 老虎
老虎Simplified
14Strokes
—Radical
人名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
#5007Frequency Rank
只Measure Word
HSK 2.0L4HSK 3.0L4TOCFLL4HSKKL2CEFRB1
Podcast: 老虎
Podcast: 老虎
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AI Study Notes for 老虎
Quick Contrast
豹 (bào, leopard) - use 老虎 when referring specifically to a tiger, which is often associated with strength and fierceness, while 豹 refers to a leopard, which has different symbolic meanings.
Usage Notes
Be careful with the tone when pronouncing 老虎; both characters have the third tone, which can be tricky. In informal settings, you might hear it used metaphorically to describe someone tough or aggressive. Common collocations include phrases like '老虎的威风' (the might of a tiger).
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 4 word, 老虎 connects with other animal names and descriptors. Students should practice using it in sentences to describe characteristics or behaviors, enhancing vocabulary related to wildlife. Understanding its use in idiomatic expressions at this level will also be beneficial.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mispronounce '老虎' by confusing the tones. For example, saying 'lǎo hǔ' with the first tone instead of the third can change the meaning. Always remember to use the correct third tone for both characters.
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Pronunciation of 老虎
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老虎 (lǎohǔ) means 'tiger' in Mandarin. It is commonly used to refer to the animal itself, as well as in cultural contexts, such as stories or idiomatic expressions. The term carries connotations of strength and fierceness, often used symbolically in literature and folklore.
When to use 老虎
Be careful with the tone when pronouncing 老虎; both characters have the third tone, which can be tricky. In informal settings, you might hear it used metaphorically to describe someone tough or aggressive. Common collocations include phrases like '老虎的威风' (the might of a tiger).
老虎 or something close to it
豹 (bào, leopard) - use 老虎 when referring specifically to a tiger, which is often associated with strength and fierceness, while 豹 refers to a leopard, which has different symbolic meanings.
What learners get wrong
Learners often mispronounce '老虎' by confusing the tones. For example, saying 'lǎo hǔ' with the first tone instead of the third can change the meaning. Always remember to use the correct third tone for both characters.
Write 老虎
老
虎
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Grammar Patterns of 老虎
老虎 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.
