豹

• Pinyin: bào
• Hanzi breakdown: 豹 = 豸 (predator radical) + 勺 (phonetic)

Meaning

Leopard; panther. A large spotted wild cat.

Refers to the leopard, known for its speed, agility, and distinctive spotted coat. Appears in various Chinese idioms and expressions, often symbolizing swiftness or fierceness. The snow leopard (雪豹) is native to the mountains of Central Asia.

Examples

1. 这只豹子在动物园里已经生活了十多年。 This leopard has lived in the zoo for over ten years.
2. 雪豹是高原上的珍稀动物，数量非常稀少。 The snow leopard is a rare plateau animal with very small numbers.
3. 他跑得像豹子一样快，转眼就不见了踪影。 He ran as fast as a leopard and disappeared in the blink of an eye.

Usage Guide

Context: animals, nature, idioms

Tone: descriptive

Do Say

• 豹子是速度最快的猫科动物之一。(Leopards are among the fastest felines.)
• 管中窥豹，可见一斑。(Viewing a leopard through a tube, you can see one spot — a partial view.)

Don't Say

• 把老虎叫'豹' (Don't call a tiger 豹 — they are different animals with distinct markings)

Origin & History

Pictophonetic character: 豸 (animal radical for predators) + 勺 (phonetic component).

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal