尾巴

• Pinyin: wěi ba
• Hanzi breakdown: 尾 = 尸(body) + 毛 (fur/hair); 巴 = pictograph of a snake (diminutive suffix)

Meaning

Tail (of an animal); something resembling a tail; a trailing remnant.

Primarily refers to an animal's tail. Figuratively used to mean a follower or someone shadowing another person (甩掉尾巴, shake off a tail), or the remaining loose end of a task (这件事还有点尾巴没处理完, there's still a loose end to tie up). Also used for the trailing end of objects.

Examples

1. 那只小狗一见到主人，就高兴地摇起了尾巴。 The moment the puppy saw its owner, it happily wagged its tail.
2. 猫的尾巴又长又细，在平衡身体方面起到了很大作用。 A cat's tail is long and slender, playing an important role in helping it balance.
3. 这个工程差不多完工了，还剩一点小尾巴需要收尾。 This project is nearly finished — there's just a small loose end left to wrap up.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, animals

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 这只狗的尾巴很粗，摇起来很有力气。(This dog's tail is quite thick and wags with a lot of force.)
• 别踩到猫的尾巴，它会不高兴的。(Don't step on the cat's tail — it won't be happy.)

Don't Say

• 尾巴 should not be used to refer to a person's buttocks or rear — that would be impolite and incorrect. Use 臀部 or colloquially 屁股 for that.

Origin & History

Compound of 尾 (tail, from 尸 body + 毛 fur — the fur at the rear end of the body) and 巴 (a suffix that originally depicted a snake; used as a nominalising/diminutive suffix here).

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal