Chinese word

考拉

Pronunciation

Pinyinkǎo lā

Meaning

  • nounkoala

Example

动物园里有一只考拉。dòng wù yuán lǐ yǒu yì zhī kǎo lā

There is a koala at the zoo.

Illustration for 考拉 (koala)

More examples

我最喜欢考拉。wǒ zuì xǐ huān kǎo lā

I like koalas best.

Core concept

An Australian tree-dwelling marsupial whose life centers on eucalyptus leaves.

Common phrases

  • 一只考拉yì zhī kǎo lā

    a koala

  • 可爱的考拉kě ài de kǎo lā

    cute koala

  • 看考拉kàn kǎo lā

    look at koalas

Similar words

树袋熊shù dài xióng: A name for an Australian marsupial that lives in trees and mainly eats eucalyptus leaves.

Definition in Chinese

一种住在澳大利亚树上、以桉树叶为主要食物的有袋动物。yì zhǒng zhù zài ào dà lì yà shù shàng yǐ ān shù yè wéi zhǔ yào shí wù de yǒu dài dòng wù

Word origin

考拉 (kǎolā, "koala") is a sound-based Chinese rendering of the English name, so its characters are chosen for pronunciation rather than for a literal meaning.

Usage tips

  • English speakers sometimes say "koala bear," but a koala is a marsupial, not a bear, making "koala" the more accurate English name.

Word lists with this word