Definition
生肖 (shēngxiào) is the formal term for the twelve Chinese zodiac animals, often used in writing or set phrases like '生肖属相'. 属相 (shǔxiàng) is the everyday spoken word for your personal animal sign — you'd ask '你的属相是什么？' in conversation, but '生肖' in a calendar or cultural context.
noun
one of the twelve Chinese zodiac animals (associated with the year of birth)
Easily confused
- 生育shēng yùlook-aliketo give birth (to a child), to bear children
- 生效shēng xiàosound-aliketo take effect, to become effective
Examples
- 生肖？Nǐ de shēng xiào shì shénme?What is your Chinese zodiac animal?
- 生肖。Wǒ de shēng xiào shì gǒu.My zodiac animal is the Dog.
- ，，生肖。Jīnnián shì lóng nián, míngnián shì shé nián, měi gè shēng xiào shí'èr nián chūxiàn yí cì.This year is the Year of the Dragon, next year is the Year of the Snake — each zodiac animal appears once every twelve years.
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