Chinese Character: 狸
1. Character Basics
Radical: 犭 (dog/animal radical)
Stroke Count: 10
Stroke Order:
2. Pronunciation
Pinyin: lí (Second tone)
3. Meaning
Fox; raccoon dog; leopard cat; civet cat; feline animal; small carnivorous mammal
4. Common Words
- 狐狸 (húli) - fox
- 狸猫 (límāo) - leopard cat; wild cat
- 海狸 (hǎilí) - beaver
- 狸子 (lízǐ) - young fox; small fox
- 狸藻 (lízǎo) - bladderwort (a carnivorous plant)
- 狸尾草 (líwěicǎo) - foxtail grass
- 果子狸 (guǒzǐlí) - masked palm civet; gem-faced civet
- 狸猫换太子 (límāo huàn tàizǐ) - to replace a prince with a leopard cat (idiom from Chinese folklore)
5. Grammar & Usage
The character "狸" is primarily used as a noun referring to small carnivorous mammals, especially foxes and similar animals.
Grammar Patterns:
- Used in compound words referring to animals: 狐狸 (fox), 狸猫 (leopard cat)
- Used in idiomatic expressions: 狸猫换太子 (to replace a prince with a leopard cat)
- Used in the names of plants and animals: 狸藻 (bladderwort), 狸尾草 (foxtail grass)
- Used metaphorically in some contexts to describe cunning or sly behavior, similar to the English use of "fox"
6. Cultural Background
The character "狸" has important cultural significance in Chinese folklore, literature, and traditional beliefs.
In Chinese mythology and folklore, foxes (狐狸) are often portrayed as magical creatures capable of shape-shifting, especially into beautiful women. They are both feared and respected for their supposed supernatural powers.
The famous idiom "狸猫换太子" (límāo huàn tàizǐ) - "to replace a prince with a leopard cat" - comes from a story in Chinese folklore where a concubine replaces the emperor's newborn son with a leopard cat in a plot to secure her own position.
In traditional Chinese art and literature, foxes are often used as symbols of cunning, wisdom, or supernatural power. They appear in many classic Chinese novels and operas.
The character "狸" is also used in the names of various animals and plants in Chinese, reflecting the country's rich biodiversity and cultural connection to nature.
7. Example Sentence
中文: 童话里的狐狸通常很聪明但也很狡猾。
Pinyin: Tónghuà lǐ de húli tōngcháng hěn cōngming dàn yě hěn jiǎohuá.
English: Foxes in fairy tales are usually very clever but also very cunning.
8. Memory Tips
The character "狸" (lí) consists of:
- The radical "犭" (quǎn, dog/animal radical) on the left
- The component "里" (lǐ, meaning mile or inside) on the right
To remember the character, think of it as "an animal that lives inside or comes from a distant place" or "a fox that lives in the inner part of the woods."
Practice writing the character following the stroke order to help with memorization.
Associate the character with common words like "狐狸" (fox) and the famous idiom "狸猫换太子" to reinforce its meaning and cultural significance.
Remember that the radical "犭" indicates that this character is related to animals, specifically carnivorous mammals.