A tail is the flexible appendage at the rear of an animal's body.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Tail: flexible appendage at the rear of an animal.
- Commonly seen on animals like dogs and cats.
- Used for balance, communication, or grasping.
Overview
“尾巴”是一个非常基础且常用的中文词汇，指的是动物身体末端向外延伸的部分。这个词语的形象性很强，很容易被理解和记忆。在日常生活中，我们经常会听到或用到这个词来描述各种动物的特征。
“尾巴”主要用作名词，指代动物的尾部。它可以单独使用，也可以与其他词语组合成更复杂的表达。例如，“狗的尾巴”、“猴子的尾巴”。在一些比喻性的用法中，“尾巴”也可以指事物发展过程中留下的痕迹或不完善的部分，但这超出了A1级别的学习范围。
这个词最常出现在描述动物的场景中。比如，在动物园、宠物店，或者在日常生活中看到动物时，人们会谈论它们的尾巴。例如：“那只猫摇着尾巴。”、“小狗的尾巴摇得真欢。” 此外，在一些故事、动画片或儿童读物中，“尾巴”也是一个非常常见的词。
在A1级别，与“尾巴”最接近的概念是描述动物身体部位的词，如“头”（tóu）、“脚”（jiǎo）。“尾巴”特指动物后部的附属结构，与其他身体部位有明确的区分。在描述非动物的“尾部”时，中文会使用“末端”（mòduān）或“结尾”（jiéwěi）等词，但这些词与“尾巴”的用法不同，且难度高于A1级别。
Examples
小狗开心地摇着尾巴。
everydayThe puppy is wagging its tail happily.
猴子的尾巴很长，可以帮助它在树上攀爬。
educationalThe monkey's tail is very long and helps it climb trees.
你看那只猫，它的尾巴竖起来了。
informalLook at that cat, its tail is standing up.
某些鱼类通过摆动尾巴在水中前进。
academicCertain fish move forward in the water by swishing their tails.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
摇尾巴
to wag one's tail
夹着尾巴
to tuck one's tail (between legs, usually out of fear or shame)
马尾巴
horse's tail
Often Confused With
While '尾巴' specifically refers to the tail of an animal, '末端' means 'end' or 'tip' and can refer to the end of any object, like a road or a rope. It's a more general term for the final part.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
The word '尾巴' is primarily used for animals. It's a common and straightforward term. Avoid using it for inanimate objects unless in a very specific, often metaphorical, context not suitable for beginners.
Common Mistakes
Beginners might sometimes try to use '尾巴' for the end part of non-living things, which is incorrect. Always associate '尾巴' with animal appendages. Also, ensure correct pronunciation and tones.
Tips
Visualize Animal Tails
Imagine different animals like dogs wagging their tails or monkeys swinging theirs. This visual association helps remember the meaning.
Avoid Non-Animal Usage
At the A1 level, focus solely on the meaning of 'tail' for animals. Figurative uses are for more advanced learners.
Tails in Folklore
Many cultures have stories or myths featuring animals with prominent tails, often symbolizing different traits like cunning or loyalty.
Word Origin
The character '尾' (wěi) has been used to denote 'tail' since ancient times. Its original form might have depicted a creature with a tail. The character '巴' (bā) in '尾巴' is a phonetic component, reinforcing the pronunciation.
Cultural Context
In Chinese culture, the tail can sometimes symbolize hidden aspects or deceit, as in the idiom '露出马脚' (lùchū mǎjiǎo), meaning 'to reveal one's true colors' or 'give oneself away', where '脚' (foot) metaphorically relates to a revealing part like a tail.
Memory Tip
Picture a dog happily wagging its '尾巴' (wěibā). The '巴' sound can remind you of the 'ba' in 'bacon', something a dog might excitedly wag its tail for!
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions很多动物都有尾巴，比如狗、猫、猴子、老鼠、鱼和鸟等。但也有一些动物没有尾巴，比如人类、青蛙等。
尾巴的功能因动物而异。它可以帮助动物保持平衡，比如猫在跳跃时会用尾巴来调整身体。有些动物用尾巴来交流，比如狗摇尾巴表示开心。还有些动物可以用尾巴来抓握东西，比如猴子。
在A1级别，我们主要学习“尾巴”用于动物。但在更高级的用法中，“尾巴”有时也可以比喻事物留下的痕迹或不完善的部分，例如“露出马脚”这个成语中的“脚”有时也被理解为“尾巴”。
在A1级别，没有和“尾巴”意思完全一样的词。但我们可以用“末端”来指代任何东西的最后部分，不过它不如“尾巴”具体，也不能直接用来形容动物的尾部。
Test Yourself
那只猫有一条长长的______。
句子描述的是动物身体后部的延伸部分，符合“尾巴”的定义。
以下哪个选项最能描述“尾巴”？
“尾巴”是动物身体末端的一个附属结构。
请将以下词语组成一个通顺的句子：狗 / 摇 / 尾巴 / 。
这是一个主谓宾结构，“狗”是主语，“摇”是谓语，“尾巴”是宾语。
Score: /3
Summary
A tail is the flexible appendage at the rear of an animal's body.
- Tail: flexible appendage at the rear of an animal.
- Commonly seen on animals like dogs and cats.
- Used for balance, communication, or grasping.
Visualize Animal Tails
Imagine different animals like dogs wagging their tails or monkeys swinging theirs. This visual association helps remember the meaning.
Avoid Non-Animal Usage
At the A1 level, focus solely on the meaning of 'tail' for animals. Figurative uses are for more advanced learners.
Tails in Folklore
Many cultures have stories or myths featuring animals with prominent tails, often symbolizing different traits like cunning or loyalty.
Examples
4 of 4小狗开心地摇着尾巴。
The puppy is wagging its tail happily.
猴子的尾巴很长，可以帮助它在树上攀爬。
The monkey's tail is very long and helps it climb trees.
你看那只猫，它的尾巴竖起来了。
Look at that cat, its tail is standing up.
某些鱼类通过摆动尾巴在水中前进。
Certain fish move forward in the water by swishing their tails.
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
Related Vocabulary
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蜜蜂
A1Bee; a stinging winged insect that produces honey and wax.
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骨头
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虫子
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蝴蝶
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笼子
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