The correct and standard way to name the 12 Chinese zodiacs in English!

No.

12 Chinese zodiacs in English

1

Rat

/ræt/

2

Ox

/ɒks/

3

Tiger

/ˈtaɪɡər/

4

Rabbit

/ˈræbɪt/

5

Dragon

/ˈdræɡən/

6

Snake

/sneɪk/

7

Horse

/hɔrs/

8

Goat

/ɡoʊt/

9

Monkey

/ˈmʌŋki/

10

Rooster

/ˈruːstər/

11

Dog

/dɔɡ/

12

Pig

/pɪɡ/

Vocabulary - Pronunciation

Meaning

Example

Element /ˈel.ə.mənt/

Water (n)

/ˈwɑː.t̬ɚ/

Characteristics /ˌker.ək.təˈrɪs.tɪk/

Quick-witted

/kwɪkˈwɪtɪd/

Able to reply in a clever or funny way without thinking for a long time

Sarah is quick-witted and always has a clever response in any situation. 

Smart

/smɑːrt/

Intelligent, or able to think quickly or intelligently in difficult situations

Alex is incredibly smart, excelling in both science and mathematics.

Charming

 /ˈʧɑːrmɪŋ/

Pleasant and attractive

Peter's charming personality makes him the life of any party. 

Persuasive

/pərˈsweɪsɪv/

Good at persuading someone to do or believe something through reasoning or the use of temptation

As a salesperson, Lisa is highly persuasive and can easily convince customers to make a purchase. 

Vocabulary - Pronunciation

Meaning

Example

Element /ˈel.ə.mənt/

Earth (n)

/ɝːθ/

Characteristics /ˌker.ək.təˈrɪs.tɪk/

Patient

/ˈpeɪʃənt/

Able to accept or tolerate delays, problems, or suffering without becoming annoyed or anxious

Despite facing challenges, Emily remains patient and handles situations with calmness. 

Kind

/kaɪnd/

Generous, helpful, and thinking about other people's feelings

Mark is known for his kind and gentle nature, always willing to help others.

Stubborn

/ˈstʌbərn/

Having or showing dogged determination not to change one's attitude or position on something, especially in spite of good arguments or reasons to do so

Despite everyone's advice, Jake can be quite stubborn when he sets his mind on something.

Conservative

/kənˈsɜːrvətɪv/

Not usually liking or trusting change, especially sudden change

Mary has a conservative approach to life, valuing tradition and stability. 

Vocabulary - Pronunciation

Meaning

Example

Element /ˈel.ə.mənt/

Wood (n)

/wʊd/

Characteristics /ˌker.ək.təˈrɪs.tɪk/

Authoritative

/əˈθɒrəteɪtɪv/

Commanding and self-confident; likely to be respected and obeyed

The manager's authoritative demeanor commands respect from the entire team. 

Emotional

/ɪˈmoʊʃənl/

Having and expressing strong feelings

Tina is highly emotional and often expresses her feelings openly. 

Courageous

/kəˈreɪdʒəs/

Having or showing courage

In the face of danger, Tom displayed courageous acts to protect his friends.

Intense

/ɪnˈtɛns/

Extreme and forceful or (of a feeling) very strong

During debates, Jennifer's intense belief for her arguments is evident. 

Vocabulary - Pronunciation

Meaning

Example

Element /ˈel.ə.mənt/

Wood (n)

/wʊd/

Characteristics /ˌker.ək.təˈrɪs.tɪk/

Popular

/ˈpɒpjələr/

Liked, enjoyed, or supported by many people

Michael is incredibly popular, with a large circle of friends who admire him. 

Compassionate

/kəmˈpæʃənət/

Feeling or showing sympathy and sadness for the suffering or bad luck of others, and wanting to help them

Dr. Johnson is not only skilled but also compassionate, showing genuine care for his patients. 

Sincere

/sɪnˈsɪər/

Not pretending or lying; honest

When expressing gratitude, Lisa's words are always sincere and heartfelt. 

Intelligent

/ɪnˈtɛlɪdʒənt/

Able to learn and understand things easily

Sarah is an intelligent student who consistently excels in her academic pursuits. 

Clever

/ˈklɛvər/

Skilled at doing or achieving something; talented

Tom is clever at solving challenging problems and always finding innovative solutions. 

Agile

/ˈædʒaɪl/

Able to think quickly and clearly

For a man of 80, Mr.Jack has a remarkably agile mind. 

Subtle

/ˈsʌtl̩/

Behaving or organized in a clever way, and using indirect methods, in order to achieve something

Maria's subtle sense of humor often catches people off guard, leaving them smiling long after the conversation ends. 

Far-sighted 

/ə fɑr.saɪtɪd ˈvɪʒən/

Having good judgment about what will be needed in the future and making wise decisions based on this

Mr. Smith, a far-sighted person, made strategic decisions that positioned it as a leader in the industry.

Vocabulary - Pronunciation

Meaning

Example

Element /ˈel.ə.mənt/

Earth (n)

/ɝːθ/

Characteristics /ˌker.ək.təˈrɪs.tɪk/

Energetic

/ˌɛnərˈdʒɛtɪk/

Having or involving a lot of energy

John is an energetic person, so everyone often chooses him for organizing events. 

Fearless

/ˈfɪrlɪs/

Not afraid, in a way that people admire

Despite the challenges, Sarah is fearless and always takes risks to achieve her goals.

Warm-hearted

/wɔːrm ˈhɑːrtɪd/

Kind and loving

Grandma Betty is warm-hearted, always welcoming everyone with a smile. 

Charismatic

/ˌkærɪzˈmætɪk/

A person who has charisma

Jason possesses a charismatic presence that captivates everyone in the room. 

Vocabulary - Pronunciation

Meaning

Example

Element /ˈel.ə.mənt/

Fire (n)

/faɪr/

Characteristics /ˌker.ək.təˈrɪs.tɪk/

Charming

/ˈʧɑːrmɪŋ/

Pleasant and attractive

Alex's charming mannerisms make him an excellent host at social gatherings. 

Gregarious

/ɡrɪˈɡɛriəs/

Liking to be with other people

Rebecca is gregarious, enjoying the company of large groups and making friends easily. 

Introverted

/ˈɪntrəvɜːrtɪd/

Shy, quiet, and preferring to spend time alone rather than often being with other people

Tim is introverted and prefers spending time alone rather than in social settings. 

Generous

/ˈdʒɛnərəs/

Willing to give money, help, kindness, etc., especially more than is usual or expected

Sarah is generous, always willing to lend a helping hand. 

Smart

/smɑːrt/

Intelligent, or able to think quickly or intelligently in difficult situations

Brian's smart approach to problem-solving sets him apart in the workplace.

Vocabulary - Pronunciation

Meaning

Example

Element /ˈel.ə.mənt/

Fire (n)

/faɪr/

Characteristics /ˌker.ək.təˈrɪs.tɪk/

Energetic

/ˌɛnərˈdʒɛtɪk/

Having or involving a lot of energy

Michelle is always energetic and motivates the entire team to be more productive. 

Independent

/ˌɪndɪˈpɛndənt/

Not influenced or controlled in any way by other people, events, or things

Jack has an independent spirit and prefers making decisions on his own.

Impatient

/ɪmˈpeɪʃənt/

Easily annoyed by someone's mistakes or because you have to wait

Sarah is quite impatient, always wanting things to happen quickly. 

Adventurous

/ədˈven.tʃər.əs/

Willing to try new or difficult things

Mark is adventurous and enjoys traveling to explore new cultures. 

Vocabulary - Pronunciation

Meaning

Example

Element /ˈel.ə.mənt/

Earth (n)

/ɝːθ/

Characteristics /ˌker.ək.təˈrɪs.tɪk/

Mild-mannered

/maɪld ˈmænərd/

Gentle and does not show extreme emotions

Emily is mild-mannered, never raising her voice even in challenging situations.

Shy

/ʃaɪ/

Nervous and uncomfortable with other people

David is shy, often avoiding large social gatherings. 

Kind

/kaɪnd/

Generous, helpful, and thinking about other people's feelings

Julia is very kind, and she volunteers at animal shelters. 

Peace-loving

/piːs ˈlʌvɪŋ/

Liking peace and trying to live and act in a way that will bring it

Sam is a peace-loving individual who strives to avoid conflicts.

Vocabulary - Pronunciation

Meaning

Example

Element /ˈel.ə.mənt/

Metal (n)

/ˈmet̬.əl/

Characteristics /ˌker.ək.təˈrɪs.tɪk/

Funny

 /ˈfʌn.i/

Humorous; causing laughter

Lucy is the life of the party. She is always funny and brings laugh to others.

Energetic

/ˌɛnərˈdʒɛtɪk/

Having or involving a lot of energy

Alex is energetic, participating in various sports and outdoor activities. 

Active

/ˈæktɪv/

Ben leads an active lifestyle, regularly engaging in physical exercises and outdoor adventures. 

Vocabulary - Pronunciation

Meaning

Example

Element /ˈel.ə.mənt/

Metal (n)

/ˈmet̬.əl/

Characteristics /ˌker.ək.təˈrɪs.tɪk/

Independent

/ˌɪndɪˈpɛndənt/

Not influenced or controlled in any way by other people, events, or things

Emma is an independent girl, always making decisions without relying on other opinions. 

Hard-working

/ˌhɑːrd ˈwɜːrkɪŋ/

Always doing a lot of work

Mark is known for his hard-working attitude, often putting in extra hours to complete tasks. 

Practical

/ˈpræktɪkəl/

Sensible and realistic

Emily is practical, approaching problems with a realistic and sensible mindset. 

Observant

/əbˈzɜːrvənt/

Good or quick at noticing things

James is observant, noticing details that others might overlook. 

Vocabulary - Pronunciation

Meaning

Example

Element /ˈel.ə.mənt/

Earth (n)

/ɝːθ/

Characteristics /ˌker.ək.təˈrɪs.tɪk/

Patient

/ˈpeɪʃənt/

Able to accept or tolerate delays, problems, or suffering without becoming annoyed or anxious

Dr. Rodriguez is very patient with his students, taking the time to explain complex concepts. 

Diligent

/ˈdɪlɪdʒənt/

Careful and using a lot of effort

Lisa is diligent in her work, ensuring that every task is completed before deadline. 

Generous

/ˈdʒɛnərəs/

Willing to give money, help, kindness, etc., especially more than is usual or expected

Steve is generous, always helping those in need.

Faithful

/ˈfeɪθfəl/

Firm and not changing in your friendship with or support for a person or an organization, or in your belief in your principles

Tom is faithful, always delivering on promises and commitments.

Kind

/kaɪnd/

Generous, helpful, and thinking about other people's feelings

Emma's kind nature is evident in her everyday interactions with colleagues and friends. 

Vocabulary - Pronunciation

Meaning

Example

Element /ˈel.ə.mənt/

Water (n)

/ˈwɑː.t̬ɚ/

Characteristics /ˌker.ək.təˈrɪs.tɪk/

Loving

/ˈlʌvɪŋ/

Showing a lot of love towards someone

Susan is a loving partner, always expressing affection and care to those close to her. 

Tolerant

/ˈtɒlərənt/

Willing to accept behaviour and beliefs that are different from your own, although you might not agree with or approve of them

Sam is tolerant, always patient and understanding, even in stressful situations.. 

Honest

/ˈɒnɪst/

Telling the truth or able to be trusted and not likely to steal, cheat, or lie

Mike is honest in both personal and professional matters. 

No.

Idioms related to the 12 Chinese zodiacs in English

Meaning

Example

1

Rat race

A way of life in which people are caught up in a fiercely competitive struggle for wealth or power

Living in the city often feels like being in a rat race.

2

(As) strong as an ox

Very strong

You should get Peter to help you move all this furniture. He's strong as an ox. 

3

Paper tiger

Something seems very strong and dangerous but is really weak and not harmful

Don’t let Daniel scare you, he talks tough but he’s just a paper tiger. 

4

Year of the cat

The period or event that doesn't occur frequently, is rare, doesn't exist, or cannot happen.

Waiting for Robert to change might be the year of the cat. 

5

Dragon lady

An overbearing or tyrannical woman/ a glamorous often mysterious woman

Lisa is known as the dragon lady in the boardroom. 

6

Snake in the grass

An unpleasant person who cannot be trusted

Be careful of him; John is a snake in the grass. 

7

Horse of a different color

Something that is completely different from another thing

I thought we were discussing the budget, but now you're talking about marketing—that's a horse of a different color. 

8

Get someone's goat

To annoy someone very much

That sort of attitude really gets my goat. 

9

Monkey business

Mischievous or deceitful behavior

I suspect there's some monkey business going on in the office.

10

Sneak the sunrise past a rooster

To do something that is extremely difficult or nearly impossible

Getting a shot past this talented goal keeper has been like sneaking the sunrise past a rooster for the opposing team. 

11

Dog eat dog

Used to refer to a situation of fierce competition in which people are willing to harm each other in order to succeed

The business world can be a dog-eat-dog environment. 

12

Make a pig of oneself

Overeat; eat more than one's share

Layla made a pig of herself at the party.