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    Chinese Grammar

    Using 老鼠 (lǎoshǔ) to refer to 'mouse'

    Existence & Possession

    Structure

    Measure Word + 老鼠 / 一 + 只 + 老鼠

    Explanation

    The noun 老鼠 (lǎoshǔ) means 'mouse' or 'rat,' referring to the common rodent. Despite containing 老 (old), the word simply means mouse — the 老 is a prefix with no age meaning. It is one of the most commonly known animal words in Chinese.

    Examples

    • 厨房里好像有老鼠，昨晚听到了响声。

      Chúfáng lǐ hǎoxiàng yǒu lǎoshǔ, zuówǎn tīngdào le xiǎngshēng.

      There seem to be mice in the kitchen; I heard noises last night.

    • 猫是抓老鼠的高手。

      Māo shì zhuā lǎoshǔ de gāoshǒu.

      Cats are experts at catching mice.

    • 她最怕老鼠，看到就会尖叫。

      Tā zuì pà lǎoshǔ, kàndào jiù huì jiānjiào.

      She's most afraid of mice; she screams whenever she sees one.

    Using 老鼠 (lǎoshǔ) to refer to 'mouse' | Chinese Grammar