biànsèlóng

变色龙

Word · NounTraditional變色龍

chameleon; political opportunist

Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma

Meanings

2 senses · 6 examples
1.

noun

chameleon; a lizard that changes skin color to blend into its surroundings

Refers specifically to the family Chamaeleonidae. Known for their slow movement, long tongues, and ability to change color.

Zhè这
zhī只
biàn变
sè色
lóng龙
pā趴
zài在
shù树
yè叶
shàng上
 ,
biàn变
chéng成
le了
lǜ绿
sè色
 。

This chameleon is resting on the leaf and has turned green.

Biàn变
sè色
lóng龙
de的
shé舌
tou头
hěn很
cháng长
 ,
kě可
yǐ以
xùn迅
sù速
bǔ捕
shí食
kūn昆
chóng虫
 。

The chameleon's tongue is very long and can catch insects quickly.

Show 1 more example
Fēi非
zhōu洲
mǎ马
dá达
jiā加
sī斯
jiā加
dǎo岛
shàng上
shēng生
huó活
zhe着
xǔ许
duō多
zhēn珍
xī稀
de的
biàn变
sè色
lóng龙
 。

Many rare chameleons live on the island of Madagascar in Africa.

2.

noun

political chameleon; opportunist who changes positions for personal gain

derogatory

Carries a derogatory connotation, implying insincerity and lack of principles. Often used in political commentary.

Nà那
gè个
zhèng政
kè客
shì是
gè个
diǎn典
xíng型
de的
biàn变
sè色
lóng龙
 ,
zuó昨
tiān天
hái还
zhī支
chí持
zhè这
gè个
fǎ法
àn案
 ,
jīn今
tiān天
jiù就
fǎn反
duì对
le了
 。

That politician is a typical political chameleon; he supported the bill yesterday but opposes it today.

Zài在
shāng商
chǎng场
shàng上
 ,
tā他
xiàng像
biàn变
sè色
lóng龙
yī一
yàng样
 ,
zǒng总
shì是
gēn根
jù据
lì利
yì益
suí随
shí时
gǎi改
biàn变
lì立
chǎng场
 。

In the business world, he is like a chameleon, always changing his position according to his interests.

Show 1 more example
Xuǎn选
mín民
men们
yàn已
juàn经
le厌
nà倦
xiē了
méi那
yǒu些
yuán没
zé有
zhǐ原
huì则
 、
jiàn只
fēng会
shǐ见
duò风
de使
biàn舵
sè的
lóng变
 色
 龙
 。

Voters are tired of those chameleons who have no principles and only go with the wind.