The word '老鼠' represents the common rodent, used both literally for the animal and metaphorically to describe timid people.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Refers to small rodents like mice or rats.
- Commonly viewed as household pests in daily life.
- Used in idioms to describe timid behavior.
Overview
- 1概述：老鼠（lǎoshǔ）是哺乳纲啮齿目鼠科动物的统称。它们体型较小，门齿发达，具有极强的繁殖能力和适应能力。在中文里，“老鼠”是最基础的词汇，涵盖了从家鼠到田鼠等多种品种。2) 用法模式：作为名词，它通常直接作主语、宾语或定语。例如：“老鼠跑了”（主语），“我看见一只老鼠”（宾语），“老鼠洞”（定语）。在描述动作时，常与“抓”、“跑”、“咬”等动词搭配。3) 常见语境：在家庭生活中，人们常提到“家里有老鼠”来表达卫生问题；在成语中，如“胆小如鼠”用来形容人胆子很小；在现代科技语境下，“鼠标”一词也是由“老鼠”演变而来，因为其外形像一只小老鼠。4) 同义词辨析：在书面语或科学语境中，有时会使用“鼠类”来泛指这一物种；而“耗子”是“老鼠”的口语化表达，在北方方言中非常常用，意思完全相同。
Examples
厨房里有一只老鼠。
everydayThere is a mouse in the kitchen.
我们需要采取措施防治鼠患。
formalWe need to take measures to prevent rodent infestation.
那家伙胆小如鼠。
informalThat guy is as timid as a mouse.
实验室内常使用小白鼠进行研究。
academicLaboratory mice are often used in research.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
胆小如鼠
timid as a mouse
鼠目寸光
short-sighted
过街老鼠
a person everyone hates
Often Confused With
They are synonyms. '老鼠' is standard, while '耗子' is a colloquial term mostly used in Northern China.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
The word '老鼠' is neutral and commonly used in all settings. It is the standard term for the animal. Avoid using it to describe people unless you are using a fixed idiom.
Common Mistakes
Beginners often forget the measure word '只' when counting mice. Always say '一只老鼠' instead of just '老鼠'. Ensure the pronunciation of 'lǎo' is the third tone.
Tips
Use common verbs with 老鼠
Pair '老鼠' with verbs like '抓' (catch) or '跑' (run). This makes your sentences sound more natural in daily conversation.
Avoid using it for people
Do not call a person '老鼠' unless using specific idioms. It is considered an insult or derogatory if used directly.
The Rat in Chinese Zodiac
The rat is the first animal in the Chinese Zodiac. It symbolizes wisdom and wealth in traditional culture.
Word Origin
The term combines '老' (old/venerable) and '鼠' (rat). Historically, it reflects the long-standing coexistence between humans and these rodents.
Cultural Context
The rat is the first of the 12 Chinese zodiac signs. It is often associated with intelligence and the start of a new cycle.
Memory Tip
Think of the 'mouse' looking for food in an old (老) house. The sound 'lǎo' represents the old, and 'shǔ' represents the rodent.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions两者意思完全相同，“老鼠”是标准称呼，而“耗子”多见于北方口语。在正式场合建议使用“老鼠”。
因为这种计算机输入设备的外形小巧，且连接线像老鼠的尾巴，所以中文借用了“鼠”字。
这是一个成语，形容一个人非常胆小，像老鼠一样容易受惊。
中文里常用“家鼠”、“田鼠”等前缀来区分，但在日常对话中统称“老鼠”即可。
Test Yourself
猫看见了___，立刻跑了过去。
猫通常会捕捉老鼠，符合逻辑。
形容人非常胆小，我们常说：
胆小如鼠是形容胆怯的标准成语。
【在/老鼠/厨房/一只/有】
这是标准的方位表达句式。
Score: /3
Summary
The word '老鼠' represents the common rodent, used both literally for the animal and metaphorically to describe timid people.
- Refers to small rodents like mice or rats.
- Commonly viewed as household pests in daily life.
- Used in idioms to describe timid behavior.
Use common verbs with 老鼠
Pair '老鼠' with verbs like '抓' (catch) or '跑' (run). This makes your sentences sound more natural in daily conversation.
Avoid using it for people
Do not call a person '老鼠' unless using specific idioms. It is considered an insult or derogatory if used directly.
The Rat in Chinese Zodiac
The rat is the first animal in the Chinese Zodiac. It symbolizes wisdom and wealth in traditional culture.
Examples
4 of 4厨房里有一只老鼠。
There is a mouse in the kitchen.
我们需要采取措施防治鼠患。
We need to take measures to prevent rodent infestation.
那家伙胆小如鼠。
That guy is as timid as a mouse.
实验室内常使用小白鼠进行研究。
Laboratory mice are often used in research.
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
Related Vocabulary
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A1Ant; a small insect, typically living in organized colonies.
攻击
A1To attack; to assault.
野兽
B1Wild beast; a wild animal, especially a large or dangerous one.
蜜蜂
A1Bee; a stinging winged insect that produces honey and wax.
鸟窝
A1Bird's nest; a structure built by a bird to lay its eggs in.
咬伤
A1To bite and injure; wound by biting.
骨头
A1Bone; any of the pieces of hard, whitish tissue making up the skeleton.
虫子
A1Bug; worm; a small insect or invertebrate.
蝴蝶
A1Butterfly; an insect with large, often brightly colored wings.
笼子
A2Cage; a structure of wire or bars in which animals are kept.
