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    Chinese Grammar

    Referring to an elephant with 象 (xiàng)

    Topic & Focus

    Structure

    大象 / 象 + Noun

    Explanation

    The noun 象 (xiàng) means "elephant" and is the standard word for this animal in Chinese. It also appears in the compound 大象 (dàxiàng), which is the more common everyday term for "elephant." The character 象 additionally carries the extended meaning of "image" or "appearance" in other contexts.

    Examples

    • 动物园里的大象特别受小朋友欢迎。

      Dòngwùyuán lǐ de dàxiàng tèbié shòu xiǎo péngyou huānyíng.

      The elephants at the zoo are especially popular with children.

    • 非洲象是陆地上最大的动物。

      Fēizhōu xiàng shì lùdì shang zuìdà de dòngwù.

      The African elephant is the largest land animal.

    • 他从来没有见过真正的象。

      Tā cónglái méiyǒu jiàn guò zhēnzhèng de xiàng.

      He has never seen a real elephant.

    Referring to an elephant with 象 (xiàng) | Chinese Grammar