noun HSK 5
leopard · panther
Meaning
豹子 refers to a leopard, a large wild cat known for its spotted coat and powerful build. The word combines 豹 (leopard) with the common noun suffix 子. Leopards are found in various parts of Asia and Africa and are known for their agility and strength.
Usage
This is the common everyday word for leopard in Mandarin. Native speakers use 豹子 when talking about the animal in general contexts, stories, or when visiting zoos. In more formal or scientific contexts, just 豹 might be used. The word appears in idioms and expressions related to speed and power.
Examples
- 01动物园里的豹子在笼子里走来走去。.The leopard in the zoo paces back and forth in its cage.
- 02豹子跑得非常快，能在树上捕猎。, .Leopards run very fast and can hunt in trees.
Characters
Measure words
- 只一只豹子
- 头三头豹子
Common collocations
- 雪豹snow leopard
- 豹纹leopard print
- 豹子胆great courage (lit. leopard's gall)
Origin
豹 is a phonosemantic character with the beast radical 豸, indicating it's an animal. The suffix 子 is commonly added to animal names in spoken Mandarin to create the colloquial form.