Chinese Character: 虎
1. Character Basics
Radical: 虎/hǔ (tiger) - 本身就是部首
Stroke Count: 8 strokes
Stroke Order:
2. Pronunciation
Pinyin: Hǔ (Third tone)
3. Meaning
Basic Meaning: Tiger
Extended Meanings: Brave; fierce; king of beasts
Additional Notes: In Chinese culture, the tiger is considered a symbol of power, courage, and good luck. It is one of the 12 Chinese zodiac animals.
4. Common Words
- 老虎 (lǎo hǔ) - Tiger
Example: 动物园里有一只大老虎。
Pinyin: Dòng wù yuán lǐ yǒu yī zhī dà lǎo hǔ.
English: There is a big tiger in the zoo.
- 虎口 (hǔ kǒu) - Tiger's mouth (a dangerous place)
Example: 他勇敢地从虎口中救出了那个孩子。
Pinyin: Tā yǒng gǎn de cóng hǔ kǒu zhōng jiù chū le nà gè hái zi.
English: He bravely rescued the child from danger.
- 虎头蛇尾 (hǔ tóu shé wěi) - Tiger head, snake tail (starting with vigor but ending weakly)
Example: 做事情不要虎头蛇尾，要坚持到底。
Pinyin: Zuò shì qing bù yào hǔ tóu shé wěi, yào jiān chí dào dǐ.
English: Don't start with vigor but end weakly; see things through to the end.
- 虎虎生威 (hǔ hǔ shēng wēi) - Full of power and prestige
Example: 将军穿上军装，显得虎虎生威。
Pinyin: Jiāng jūn chuān shàng jūn zhuāng, xiǎn de hǔ hǔ shēng wēi.
English: The general looks very imposing in his military uniform.
- 如虎添翼 (rú hǔ tiān yì) - Like a tiger with wings (something already powerful made even more so)
Example: 有了新技术，我们的工厂如虎添翼。
Pinyin: Yǒu le xīn jì shù, wǒ men de gōng chǎng rú hǔ tiān yì.
English: With the new technology, our factory has become even more powerful.
5. Grammar & Usage
Part of Speech: Noun, adjective
Common Usage:
- As a noun: Refers to the animal tiger
- As an adjective: Describes something fierce or brave
Common Structures:
- 复合名词 (Compound nouns): 老虎, 虎口, 虎皮
- 成语 (Idioms): 虎头蛇尾, 如虎添翼, 虎虎生威
- 比喻用法 (Metaphorical usage): 形容人勇敢或凶猛
Usage Notes: When used in idioms, 虎 often conveys metaphorical meanings related to power, courage, or strength rather than referring to the actual animal.
6. Cultural Background
The tiger has profound cultural significance in Chinese civilization:
- Chinese Zodiac: The tiger is the third animal in the Chinese zodiac, symbolizing bravery, competitiveness, and confidence.
- Symbol of Power: In ancient China, the tiger was often associated with military power and was used as a symbol for generals and warriors.
- Folk Beliefs: Tigers are believed to ward off evil spirits, and tiger images are often used as talismans and decorations during festivals.
- Literary and Artistic Inspiration: Tigers have been a popular subject in Chinese painting, calligraphy, poetry, and storytelling for thousands of years.
- Traditional Medicine: In traditional Chinese medicine, various parts of the tiger were historically used, although this practice is now illegal and widely condemned.
7. Example Sentence
Example 1:
中文: 老虎是森林之王。
Pinyin: Lǎo hǔ shì sēn lín zhī wáng.
English: The tiger is the king of the forest.
Example 2:
中文: 他在工作中表现得虎虎生威。
Pinyin: Tā zài gōng zuò zhōng biǎo xiàn de hǔ hǔ shēng wēi.
English: He performs with great vigor and vitality at work.
Example 3:
中文: 不要怕困难，要有虎口拔牙的勇气。
Pinyin: Bù yào pà kùn nan, yào yǒu hǔ kǒu bá yá de yǒng qì.
English: Don't be afraid of difficulties; have the courage to face danger.
8. Memory Tips
Here are some tips to help you remember the character 虎:
- Shape Association: The character 虎 resembles a tiger with its mouth open and paws ready to pounce. Try to visualize a tiger when writing this character.
- Sound Association: The pronunciation "hǔ" sounds similar to the growl of a tiger.
- Cultural Connection: Associate the character with the Chinese zodiac and its symbolic meanings of bravery and power.
- Stroke Order Practice: Practice writing the character following the correct stroke order to help memorization.
- Word Association: Learn common words and idioms containing 虎 to reinforce your memory of the character and its usage.