Learn the Names of 172 Animals in Chinese 🙉

Do you know how to say your favorite animals in Chinese? 🐼🐯🐬
If not, you’re in the right place!

We’ve created the ultimate Chinese animal names encyclopedia Play 动物 (dòngwù) with over 170 examples. Here you’ll find the Chinese characters, pinyin pronunciation, and even the funny literal translations behind each name.

You might have heard the saying: “Don’t translate Chinese word by word.” Well… sometimes that’s true, but when it comes to animals, the results are more fun than confusing. For example, in Chinese a kangaroo is called a “pouch mouse” (袋鼠 dài shǔ) — surprisingly logical once you think about it!

Get ready to explore everything from the 12 zodiac animals to sea creatures, birds, insects, and more — and discover why learning animal names in Chinese can be both practical and entertaining.

Animals in Chinese – Chinese Zodiac Animals

Animals in Chinese – Sea Animals in Chinese

Animals in Chinese – Land Mammals in Chinese

Animals in Chinese – Birds in Chinese

Animals in Chinese – Marsupials in Chinese

Animals in Chinese – Reptiles and Amphibians in Chinese

Animals in Chinese – Insects in Chinese

Let’s learn all the Chinese Animal Names together!

Chinese Animals || FAQs

Now just a heads up, we’ve got a LOT of animals in Chinese listed below!

There are some people search for more than others so here are some of the most popular!

Chinese Zodiac Animals

The Chinese Zodiac (十二生肖 shí’èr shēngxiào) is one of the most famous parts of Chinese culture. It’s made up of 12 animals, each representing a year in a repeating cycle.

Below you’ll find the zodiac animals in Chinese, with their characters, pinyin, and literal meanings — a perfect place to start learning animal names in Chinese.

Now we’ve discovered our first twelve animals in Chinese, it’s time to find out which animal you represent.

To do this is easy.

What year were you born? Match it up below with the animal and that’s your Chinese zodiac.

Chinese Zodiac Animals Quiz

So now you’ve had time to learn the Zodiac Animals in Chinese, want to put your knowledge to the test?

Take our quiz and see how many of the 12 names you’ve remembered!

Time's up

Sea Animals in Chinese

When learning sea animals in Chinese, it helps to know that the word Play 鱼 (yú) means fish. You’ll notice it appears at the end of many names, like Play 鲨鱼 (shā yú) – shark and Play 鲸鱼 (jīng yú) – whale.

Other creatures get wonderfully descriptive names too — for example, a dolphin is a “sea pig” Play 海豚 (hǎi tún) and a jellyfish is a “water mother” Play 水母 (shuǐ mǔ). Check out the table below for some of the most common sea animals in Chinese.

Land Mammals in Chinese

Mammals are some of the most commonly mentioned animals in everyday Chinese, from pets to wild animals.

Many of their names give a clue to their meaning through vivid literal translations. Below you’ll find a table of land mammals in Chinese, including the characters, pinyin, English word, and literal meaning to make learning them straightforward and memorable.

Go further and check out dog breeds in Chinese.

94 Countries in Chinese 🌏 What Are Their Literal Translations?

Discover how to say 94 country names in Chinese and what the literal translations are. There are some funny ones!

Birds in Chinese

In Chinese, the word for bird is Play 鸟 (niǎo), and you’ll notice it appears in many bird names. Here’s a full list of common birds in Chinese with their characters, pinyin, English meaning, and literal translation to help you remember them more easily.

Marsupials in Chinese

Ok ok… Marsupials are a type of mammal too, but because they have such great names in Chinese we thought they deserved their own separate section.

Another appropriate name could be ‘Pouch Animals in Chinese‘.

Reptiles and Amphibians in Chinese

Insects in Chinese

There you have it – learning Chinese really is that logical! Want to keep learning Mandarin? Why not start taking Chinese lessons online with us from the comfort of your own home?

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