Understanding the subtle differences between the terms 老鼠 (lǎoshǔ) and 鼠 (shǔ), 老虎 (lǎohǔ) and 虎 (hǔ), 狮子 (shīzi) and 狮 (shī), 兔子 (tùzi) and 兔 (tù) is essential for both Chinese learners and those interested in cultural nuances. These pairs of terms both refer to the same animals but are used in different contexts with varying levels of formality and specificity.
老鼠 (lǎoshǔ) vs 鼠 (shǔ)
老鼠 (lǎoshǔ)
老鼠 specifically refers to the small rodents commonly seen in both urban and rural settings. It’s “rat” or “mouse” in English.
老 is a prefix here.
e.g.
我家里有老鼠。(Wǒ jiā lǐ yǒu lǎoshǔ.) There are mice in my house.
鼠 (shǔ)
鼠 refers generally to the animal category that includes rats and mice. It is often used in compound words and formal contexts.
e.g.
我是鼠年出生的。(Wǒ shì shǔ nián chūshēng de.) I was born in the Year of the Rat.
这只老鼠很大，可能是鼠王。(Zhè zhī lǎoshǔ hěn dà, kěnéng shì shǔ wáng.) This rat is very big; it might be a rat king.
鼠疫是一种严重的疾病。(Shǔyì shì yī zhǒng yánzhòng de jíbìng. – The plague is a serious disease.)
老虎 (lǎohǔ) vs 虎 (hǔ)
老虎 (lǎohǔ)
老虎 is the most commonly used term for “tiger” in everyday Chinese. It is used in general conversation.
老 is a prefix here.
e.g.
她像个母老虎，脾气非常可怕。(Tā xiàng gè mǔ lǎohǔ, píqì fēicháng kěpà.) She is like a tigress; her temper is very frightening.
我最喜欢的动物是老虎。(Wǒ zuì xǐhuān de dòngwù shì lǎohǔ.) My favorite animal is the tiger.
虎 (hǔ)
虎 also means “tiger,” but it is often used in more formal, poetic, or traditional contexts. It is frequently part of compound words and idiomatic expressions or used in contexts involving symbolism.
e.g.
你属虎？我也是！(Nǐ shǔ hǔ? Wǒ yě shì!) Are you born in the Year of the Tiger? Me too!
虎视眈眈 (hǔ shì dān dān) an idiom describing someone with ambitious plans or threats.
狐假虎威 (Hú jiǎ hǔ wēi.) The fox borrows the tiger’s might.
虎落平原被犬欺 (Hǔ luò píngyuán bèi quǎn qī.) A tiger on the plains is bullied by dogs.
虎虎生威 (Hǔ hǔ shēng wēi.) The tiger shows its formidable power.
兔子 (tùzi) vs 兔 (tù)
兔子 (tùzi)
兔子 the most common and colloquial term for “rabbit” in everyday Chinese, especially when discussing pets, or in general discussions about rabbits.
子 is a suffix.
e.g.
家养了一只兔子。(Wǒ jiā yǎng le yī zhī tùzi.) I have a pet rabbit at home.
兔 (tù)
兔 also means “rabbit” and is often used in more formal or literary contexts. It is also part of compound words, especially in contexts like the Chinese zodiac.
e.g.
兔年 (Tù nián) Year of the Rabbit in the Chinese zodiac
中国传说里，月亮上的仙女叫嫦娥，嫦娥的宠物是玉兔。(Zhōngguó chuánshuō lǐ, yuèliàng shàng de xiānnǚ jiào Cháng’é, Cháng’é de chǒngwù shì yù tù.) In Chinese legend, the fairy on the moon is called Chang’e, and Chang’e’s pet is the Jade Rabbit.
狮子 (shīzi) vs 狮 (shī)
狮子 (shīzi)
狮子 is the most common and colloquial term for “lion” in everyday Chinese. It is typically used in everyday conversation.
子 is a suffix.
e.g.
狮子是丛林之王。(Shīzi shì cónglín zhī wáng.) The lion is the king of the jungle.
狮 (shī)
狮 also means “lion” and is often used in more formal or literary contexts. It is particularly prevalent in classical Chinese literature, idiomatic expressions, and in compound terms.
e.g.
石狮 (shí shī) stone lion
狮身人面像 (Shī shēn rén miàn xiàng.) The Sphinx (literally: lion-body human-face statue).
母狮总会会保护自己的孩子。(Mǔ shī zǒng huì huì bǎohù zìjǐ de háizi.) A lioness will always protect her children.
Learn more about the Prefixes and Suffixes