熊掌

xióngzhǎng
noun #25,912

Measure Word

Meanings

  1. 1 bear paw
  2. 2 bear's paw (as a delicacy in classical Chinese cuisine)

Examples

HSK 7-9
Xióngzhǎng yǔ yú bùkě jiāndé.
You cannot have both the bear's paw and the fish. (You can't have it all.)
HSK 7-9
Gǔdài gōngtíng yànxí shàng, xióngzhǎng shì zhēnguì de jiāyáo.
At ancient imperial banquets, bear's paw was a prized delicacy.

Tips

culture
熊掌 is famous in Chinese culture from the Mencius passage: 熊掌 - fish and bear's paw are both desired, but one must choose. This became a classic metaphor for difficult choices.

Stroke Order

xióng
zhǎng