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豹 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
豹bàoleopard, panther; surnameHSK 7, n, 10 strokes, radical 豸, rank #8133, Very Hard
bào(bao4)bao T4
  1. 1leopard, panther; surname
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March 24, 2026

豹bào(bao4)

The character 豹 (bào) refers to a 'leopard' or 'panther', representing a type of big cat known for its agility and spotted coat. It is commonly used in both literal and metaphorical contexts, such as describing someone who is swift or stealthy. Additionally, it can be used as a surname in Chinese culture.

Strokes10Radical豸Frequency#8133DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, the leopard is often seen as a symbol of strength and agility. Traditional Chinese paintings sometimes depict leopards to represent ferocity and bravery, contrasting with the more commonly celebrated tiger.

Memory tip

Imagine a speedy leopard bounding through the jungle, its spots blending with the dappled sunlight. The shape of 豹 resembles a cat's body (the top part) with the added emphasis of 'spotted' (the radical 豕), reminding you of its swift, stealthy nature and the pronunciation 'bào' sounding like 'bow' as the leopard bows down to pounce on its prey.

Meanings of 豹

bào(bao4)
1leopard, panther; surname
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

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About 豹

豹Simplified
10Strokes
豸Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedTOCFLL5CEFRC2

Podcast: 豹

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Podcast: 豹

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AI study notes for 豹

Quick Contrast

豹 (bào) vs 斑 (bān) — use 豹 when referring specifically to the animal 'leopard', while 斑 refers to the pattern or spots, not the animal itself.

Usage Notes

Be cautious not to confuse 豹 with similar characters or animals, such as 猫 (māo - cat) or 虎 (hǔ - tiger). In informal contexts, it may be used to describe someone with qualities of a leopard, such as agility or cunning. When using it in writing, ensure that the context clearly indicates whether you are referring to the animal or the surname.

HSK Study Tips

Although 豹 is not an HSK vocabulary word, it is beneficial for learners at a higher level to connect it with other animal-related words like 猫 (cat) or 狗 (dog). Focus on recognizing its usage in literature or wildlife documentaries to enhance comprehension and vocabulary.

Common Mistakes

Learners often mistakenly confuse 豹 with other animal characters due to similar appearances. For example, saying '豹猫' (bàomāo) to refer to a 'leopard cat' incorrectly mixes two distinct species; the correct term is '豹' for leopard and '猫' for cat separately.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 豹

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Etymology of 豹

Formation typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Explanation

Phonosemantic compound. 豸 represents the meaning and 勺 represents the sound.

Memory hint

beast

Semantic (meaning)豸
+
Phonetic (sound)勺
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

豹 = 豸 + 勺. What kind of character does that make it?

Decomposition of 豹

IDS Structure⿰豸勺
豹Full character
=
豸zhi4
left
勺shao2
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 豹?

How to say leopard, panther; surname in Chinese

“leopard, panther; surname” in Chinese is豹bào

The character 豹 (bào) refers to a 'leopard' or 'panther', representing a type of big cat known for its agility and spotted coat. It is commonly used in both literal and metaphorical contexts, such as describing someone who is swift or stealthy. Additionally, it can be used as a surname in Chinese culture.

When to use 豹

Be cautious not to confuse 豹 with similar characters or animals, such as 猫 (māo - cat) or 虎 (hǔ - tiger). In informal contexts, it may be used to describe someone with qualities of a leopard, such as agility or cunning. When using it in writing, ensure that the context clearly indicates whether you are referring to the animal or the surname.

豹 or something close to it

豹 (bào) vs 斑 (bān) — use 豹 when referring specifically to the animal 'leopard', while 斑 refers to the pattern or spots, not the animal itself.

What learners get wrong

Learners often mistakenly confuse 豹 with other animal characters due to similar appearances. For example, saying '豹猫' (bàomāo) to refer to a 'leopard cat' incorrectly mixes two distinct species; the correct term is '豹' for leopard and '猫' for cat separately.

Write 豹

豹

Practice writing 豹 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar patterns of 豹

豹 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.

Exercise 1 of 4

Fill the gap

Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.

那里每年秋天有2,000头灰色小海____出生。

Two thousand grey seal pups are born there every autumn.

Example sentences for 豹 (6)

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1
那里每年秋天有2,000头灰色小海豹出生。

nàlǐ měi nián qiūtiān yǒu2,000 tóu huīsè xiǎo hǎi bào chūshēng。

Two thousand grey seal pups are born there every autumn.
2
他们在阿拉斯加海岸外看见很多海豹.

tāmen zài Ā lā Sī jiā hǎi’àn wài kànjiàn hěn duō hǎi bào.

They saw many seals off the Coast of Alaska.
3
海豹主要以鱼和乌贼为食.

hǎi bào zhǔyào yǐ yú hé Wū zéi wèi shí.

The seals feed mainly on fish and squid.
4
那只豹扑向猎物.

nà zhī bào pū xiàng lièwù.

The leopard bounded on the prey.
5
有一只豹躲藏在丛林中.

yǒu yī zhī bào duǒcáng zài cónglín zhōng.

A leopard was lurking in the jungle.
6
老虎身上有条纹,而豹有花斑.

lǎohǔ shēnshang yǒu tiáo wén, ér bào yǒu huā bān.

A tiger has stripes and a leopard has spots.

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Word Family of 豹

Words containing this character15
豹bàoleopard
海豹seal (zoology)
豹子leopard
美洲豹panther
猎豹cheetah獵豹
金钱豹leopard金錢豹
雪豹snow leopard
云豹clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa)雲豹
全豹panorama
管中窥豹lit. to see a leopard through a narrow tube (idiom); fig. to miss the big picture管中窺豹
捷豹Jaguar (car brand)
西门豹Xi Menbao (active around 422 BC), statesman, general and hydraulic engineer of Wei state 魏國|魏国[Wèi​guó]西門豹
豺狼虎豹fierce and cruel people
窥豹一斑lit. see one spot on a leopard (idiom); fig. a restricted view窺豹一斑
俞文豹Yu Wenbao (lived around 1240), prolific Song dynasty poet
Exercise 1 of 4

Words with 豹

What does 海豹 mean?

Frequently asked questions about 豹

It is pronounced as 'bào'.

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