招财猫

招財貓
zhāocáimāo
noun

Measure Word

Meanings

  1. 1 lucky cat
  2. 2 beckoning cat
  3. 3 maneki-neko

Examples

HSK 6
Hěnduō fànguǎn de shōuyíntái shàng dōu bǎi zhe yì zhī zhāocáimāo.
Many restaurants keep a lucky cat on the checkout counter.
HSK 7-9
Zhāocáimāo jǔqǐ de zhuǎzi hǎoxiàng zài xiàng kèren zhāoshǒu.
The lucky cat's raised paw looks as if it is beckoning customers in.

Tips

culture
The figurine comes from Japan, where it is called 招き猫 (maneki-neko). By popular belief a raised left paw invites customers and a raised right paw invites money. Versions sold in China often hold a gold coin and wave one arm on a battery.

Stroke Order

招 zhāo
财 cái
猫 māo