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The phono-semantic compound 狻 is used to designate specific animals, both real and mythological. Its semantic radical 犭 (quǎn, dog/beast) classifies it within the category of mammals or wild creatures. The component 夋 (qūn) provides the phonetic guidance for pronunciation. This character most commonly appears in the term 狻猊 (suānní), referring to a mythical lion-like beast or, in historical texts, sometimes a real lion. This structure, a classifier paired with a phonetic element, follows the standard pattern for naming foreign or legendary beasts outside common domestic taxonomy.
Etymology Hide
