Animal & Plant Vocabulary in Chinese

Explore the natural world with Animal & Plant Vocabulary in Chinese. This collection includes essential terms for mammals, birds, insects, flowers, trees, and everyday plants.

Nature plays a major role in daily life, and learning Chinese becomes more meaningful when you can describe animals, plants, and ecosystems confidently. With GuruLango’s Spaced Repetition system, each word becomes easier to remember as you review at scientifically timed intervals. 

Below is a preview selection of essential Animal & Plant vocabulary, drawn from GuruLango’s 5000-word master list.

1. Wild Animal - Creatures Found in Nature

Use these words to talk about animals that live in forests, mountains, and the wild.

Vocabulary

Pinyin

English Meaning

老虎 (noun)

lǎohǔ

Tiger

狮子 (noun)

shīzi

Lion

熊 (noun)

xióng

Bear

豹 (noun)

bào

Leopard

狐狸 (noun)

húli

Fox

大象 (noun)

dàxiàng

Elephant

长颈鹿 (noun)

chángjǐnglù

Giraffe

猴子 (noun)

hóuzi

Monkey

狼 (noun)

láng

Wolf

斑马 (noun)

bānmǎ

Zebra

袋鼠 (noun)

dàishǔ

Kangaroo

犀牛 (noun)

xīniú

Rhinoceros

野猪 (noun)

yězhū

Wild boar

2. Domestic Animal - Animals Living With Humans

Talk about pets, farm animals, and creatures commonly raised by people.

Vocabulary

Pinyin

English Meaning

狗 (noun)

gǒu

Dog

猫 (noun)

māo

Cat

牛 (noun)

niú

Cow

羊 (noun)

yáng

Sheep

马 (noun)

Horse

猪 (noun)

zhū

Pig

鸡 (noun)

Chicken

鸭 (noun)

Duck

鹅 (noun)

é

Goose

鱼 (noun)

Fish

兔子 (noun)

tùzi

Rabbit

驴 (noun)

Donkey

公鸡 (noun)

gōngjī

Rooster

3. Sea Animal - Marine Life and Ocean Creatures

Use these words to describe animals living in oceans, seas, and rivers.

Vocabulary 

Pinyin

English Meaning

海豚 (noun)

hǎitún

Dolphin

鲸鱼 (noun)

jīngyú

Whale

鲨鱼 (noun)

shāyú

Shark

海狮 (noun)

hǎishī

Sea lion

海豹 (noun)

hǎibào

Seal

螃蟹 (noun)

pángxiè

Crab

龙虾 (noun)

lóngxiā

Lobster

水母 (noun)

shuǐmǔ

Jellyfish

章鱼 (noun)

zhāngyú

Octopus

海星 (noun)

hǎixīng

Starfish

海龟 (noun)

hǎiguī

Sea turtle

珊瑚 (noun)

shānhú

Coral

海马 (noun)

hǎimǎ

Seahorse

4. Reptile & Amphibian - Cold-Blooded Creatures

Learn the names of reptiles and amphibians often found in wetlands, forests, and rivers.

Vocabulary 

Pinyin

English Meaning

蛇 (noun)

shé

Snake

乌龟 (noun)

wūguī

Tortoise

鳄鱼 (noun)

èyú

Crocodile

蜥蜴 (noun)

xīyì

Lizard

青蛙 (noun)

qīngwā

Frog

蝾螈 (noun)

róngyuán

Salamander

壁虎 (noun)

bìhǔ

Gecko

沙蟒 (noun)

shāmǎng

Boa

陆龟 (noun)

lùguī

Land turtle

变色龙 (noun)

biànsèlóng

Chameleon

牛蛙 (noun)

niúwā

Bullfrog

5. Bird - Flying Animals and Feathered Species

These words help you talk about both wild birds and domesticated species.

Vocabulary

Pinyin

English Meaning

鸟 (noun)

niǎo

Bird

麻雀 (noun)

máquè

Sparrow

乌鸦 (noun)

wūyā

Crow

鹰 (noun)

yīng

Eagle

猫头鹰 (noun)

māotóuyīng

Owl

鸽子 (noun)

gēzi

Pigeon

海鸥 (noun)

hǎi’ōu

Seagull

天鹅 (noun)

tiān’é

Swan

火烈鸟 (noun)

huǒlièniǎo

Flamingo

孔雀 (noun)

kǒngquè

Peacock

鹦鹉 (noun)

yīngwǔ

Parrot

秃鹰 (noun)

tūyīng

Vulture

6. Plant & Flora - Trees, Flowers, and Greenery

Learn names of common plants, flowers, and natural vegetation found in daily life.

Vocabulary

Pinyin

English Meaning

树 (noun)

shù

Tree

花 (noun)

huā

Flower

草 (noun)

cǎo

Grass

竹子 (noun)

zhúzi

Bamboo

松树 (noun)

sōngshù

Pine tree

玫瑰 (noun)

méiguī

Rose

郁金香 (noun)

yùjīnxiāng

Tulip

仙人掌 (noun)

xiānrénzhǎng

Cactus

荷花 (noun)

héhuā

Lotus

落叶 (noun)

luòyè

Falling leaves

枫树 (noun)

fēngshù

Maple

茶树 (noun)

cháshù

Tea plant

棕榈树 (noun)

zōnglǚshù

Palm tree

7. Insect - Small Creatures and Bugs

These are common insects you will encounter in everyday life and nature.

Vocabulary

Pinyin

English Meaning

蚂蚁 (noun)

mǎyǐ

Ant

蜜蜂 (noun)

mìfēng

Bee

蝴蝶 (noun)

húdié

Butterfly

蜻蜓 (noun)

qīngtíng

Dragonfly

蚊子 (noun)

wénzi

Mosquito

苍蝇 (noun)

cāngyíng

Fly

蜘蛛 (noun)

zhīzhū

Spider

瓢虫 (noun)

piáochóng

Ladybug

白蚁 (noun)

báiyǐ

Termite

蟋蟀 (noun)

xīshuài

Cricket

毛毛虫 (noun)

máomáochóng

Caterpillar

蚱蜢 (noun)

zhàměng

Grasshopper

8. Ecosystem - Natural Habitats and Environments

Use these words to discuss environments, habitats, and ecological systems around the planet.

Vocabulary

Pinyin

English Meaning

森林 (noun)

sēnlín

Forest

沙漠 (noun)

shāmò

Desert

草原 (noun)

cǎoyuán

Grassland

雨林 (noun)

yǔlín

Rainforest

海洋 (noun)

hǎiyáng

Ocean

河流 (noun)

héliú

River

湖泊 (noun)

húpō

Lake

山脉 (noun)

shānmài

Mountain range

火山 (noun)

huǒshān

Volcano

湿地 (noun)

shīdì

Wetland

冰川 (noun)

bīngchuān

Glacier

气候 (noun)

qìhòu

Climate

生物圈 (noun)

shēngwùquān

Biosphere

These eight vocabulary themes help you talk about animals, plants, and natural environments with confidence. With GuruLango’s Spaced Repetition approach, you’ll absorb new words steadily and build lasting vocabulary for real-life conversations.

Start learning with GuruLango today to make Chinese vocabulary simple, natural, and unforgettable!