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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing the measure word for tails with 尾 (wěi)

    Numbers & Quantity

    Structure

    Number + 尾 + Noun

    Explanation

    尾 (wěi) is a measure word used to count tails, and by extension, it can be used to count creatures that are notable for their tails, such as fish or mythical foxes. For example, 九尾天狐 means "nine-tailed celestial fox." In everyday Chinese, 尾 as a measure word is relatively literary and often appears in stories or descriptions of mythical creatures.

    Examples

    • 传说中有一只九尾狐住在山里。

      Chuánshuō zhōng yǒu yī zhī jiǔ wěi hú zhù zài shān lǐ.

      Legend has it that a nine-tailed fox lives in the mountains.

    • 那条三尾金鱼特别漂亮。

      Nà tiáo sān wěi jīnyú tèbié piàoliang.

      That three-tailed goldfish is especially beautiful.

    • 这幅画上画着一只双尾猫。

      Zhè fú huà shang huàzhe yī zhī shuāng wěi māo.

      This painting depicts a two-tailed cat.

    Similar Grammar

    Expressing the measure word for tails with 尾 (wěi) | Chinese Grammar