Before we talk about nature and animal words in Chinese, let me tell you a fun fact. In Taiwan, if you see “yáng” on the local restaurant menu, usually it is the goat, not sheep. I am not a goat or lamb lover. But I like one thing called Yangrouchuan. It is a snack, that originated in Xinjiang (an autonomous region in northwest China), sees bite-sized pieces of meat (nestled between pieces of fat) coated with salt, plenty of cumin seeds, and pepper powder, before being placed on a charcoal grill to cook. It is super yummy!!! You should try it if you have a chance to visit Taiwan or China.
Nature Words in Chinese
| Simplify | China | Traditional | Taiwan | English | Korean | Japanese |
| 森林 | sēnlín | 森林 | sēnlín | Forest | 숲 | 森 |
| 地 | dì | 地 | dì | Ground | 땅 | 土 |
| 草 | cǎo | 草 | cǎo | Grass | 풀 | 草 |
| 月亮 | yuèliang | 月亮 | yuèliàng | Moon | 달 | 月 |
| 星星 | xīngxing | 星星 | xīngxīng | Star | 별 | 星 |
| 云 | yún | 雲 | yún | Cloud | 구름 | 雲 |
| 火 | huǒ | 火 | huǒ | Fire | 불 | 火 |
| 地球 | dìqiú | 地球 | dìqiú | Earth | 지구 | 地球 |
| 环境 | huánjìng | 環境 | huánjìng | Environment | 환경 | 環境 |
| 空气 | kōngqì | 空氣 | kōngqì | Air | 공기 | 空気 |
| 晴天 | qíngtiān | 晴天 | qíngtiān | Sunny | 화창한 | 晴れ |
| 温度 | wēndù | 溫度 | wēndù | Temperature | 온도 | 温度 |
| 世界 | shìjiè | 世界 | shìjiè | World | 세계 | 世界 |
Examples
最近的空氣很髒，你出門記得要戴口罩
最近的空气很脏，你出门记得要戴口罩
Zuìjìn de kōngqì hěnzāng， nǐ chūmén jìdé yào dài kǒuzhào.
The air is very dirty lately, remember to wear a mask when you go out.
我喜歡躺在草地上看星星
我喜欢躺在草地上看星星
Wǒ xǐhuān tǎng zài cǎodì shàng kàn xīngxīng.
Wǒ xǐhuan tǎng zài cǎodì shàng kàn xīngxing.
I like to lie in the grass and look at the stars.
Animal Words in Chinese
| Simplify | China | Traditional | Taiwan | English | Korean | Japanese |
| 动物 | dòngwù | 動物 | dòngwù | Animal | 동물 | 動物 |
| 牛 | niú | 牛 | niú | Cow | 소 | 牛 |
| 羊 | yáng | 羊 | yáng | Sheep, goat | 양 | 羊 |
| 兔 | tù | 兔 | tù | Rabbit | 토끼 | ウサギ |
| 虎 | hŭ | 虎 | hŭ | Tiger | 호랑이 | 虎 |
| 鼠 | shǔ | 鼠 | shǔ | Rat, mouse | 쥐 | ねずみ |
F.Y.I
Chinese zodiac (shēngxiào), is represented by 12 zodiac animals. In order, they are the Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. And it’s believed that people born in a given year have the personality of that year’s animal.
Rat: quick-witted, resourceful, versatile, kind.
Ox: diligent, dependable, strong, determined.
Tiger: brave, confident, competitive, unpredictable.
Rabbit: quiet, elegant, kind, responsible.
Dragon: confident, intelligent, enthusiastic.
Snake: enigmatic, intelligent, wise.
Horse: animated, active, energetic.
Goat: calm, gentle, sympathetic.
Monkey: sharp, smart, curious.
Rooster: observant, hardworking, courageous.
Dog: lovely, honest, prudent.
Pig: compassionate, generous, diligent.
A2 Nature and Animal
