亀 (guī) - Turtle — a reptile with a hard shell & symbolizes longevity, wisdom, and endurance in East Asian

亀Tone 1

guī ｜ 11 strokes ｜ radical:

枫惠

亀 · guī

Turtle — a reptile with a hard shell;

symbolizes longevity, wisdom, and endurance in East Asian cultures;

also refers to tortoises.

Turtle — a reptile with a hard shellsymbolizes longevity, wisdom, and endurance in East Asianalso refers to tortoises.

Usage highlights

Sea turtleTortoiseTurtle shellTurtle doveTurtle longevityTurtle back

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • 兔— rabbit (symbolizing speed vs. turtle's slowness)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The turtle crawled slowly on the beach (海龟在海滩上缓慢爬行).
  • In Chinese mythology, the turtle is one of the four sacred animals (龟是四大神兽之一).
  • He keeps a pet turtle (他养了一只宠物龟).
  • The turtle's shell provides protection (龟壳提供保护).

Collocations

  • Sea turtle(海龟)
  • Tortoise(陆龟)
  • Turtle shell(龟壳)
  • Turtle dove(斑鸠)
  • Turtle longevity(龟寿)
  • Turtle back(龟背)

Idioms

  • The turtle and the crane symbolize longevity(龟鹤遐寿)
  • Turtle hair and rabbit horns — something nonexistent(龟毛兔角)
  • Turtle age and crane longevity — wish for long life(龟龄鹤算)
  • Turtle cold bed and crane thin — poor and lonely(龟冷支床)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In Chinese culture, the turtle is one of the four celestial animals (with dragon, phoenix, and qilin), representing the north and winter.
  • Turtles symbolize longevity, wisdom, and stability, often used in art and literature to represent these qualities.
  • In ancient China, turtle shells were used for divination during the Shang dynasty.
  • The turtle appears in the myth of the world being supported on the back of a giant turtle.

FAQ