Chinese zodiac: 生肖
It derives from the observation of the 12-year period that it requires for the planet Jupiter (木星) to complete its orbit. Chinese associate each year with an animal and believe it help indicate fortune and the course of events. "Chinese zodiac" refers to the collective concept(生肖总称). For example: The Chinese zodiac is used to help people predict their fate. To refer to each animal in the zodiac, you can say "Chinese zodiac animal sign"(属相，指具体属相). For example: "The ox is one of the Chinese zodiac animal signs.". Or you can simply put it as "Chinese animal sign".
鼠年: Year of the Rat
牛年: Year of the Ox
虎年: Year of the Tiger
兔年: Year of the Rabbit
龙年: Year of the Dragon
蛇年: Year of the Snake
马年: Year of the Horse
羊年: Year of the Sheep
猴年: Year of the Monkey
鸡年: Year of the Rooster
狗年: Year of the Dog
猪年: Year of the Boar
Horoscope 星座，运程
The horoscope serves as a map of the sun, moon and other stars in the sky over a specific location at a particular moment in time. It is used to analyze the character of individuals born at that time and predict their future. Astrologers (占星师) divide the year into 12 parts and each part has its own constellation. It is called the zodiac (黄道十二宫). However, we can't say "What's your constellation" (你是什么星座?). "Constellation" refers to the group of stars in the sky. We should use "star sign" in this context.
How to talk about the zodiac animals in English:
1. 你属什么?
我属鼠。
What is your Chinese animal sign?
I am a Rat.
2. 你知道明年是什么年吗?
是羊年。
Do you know what the Chinese zodiac animal will be next year?
It is the Year of the Sheep.
3. 你是什么星座的?
我是金牛座。
What's your star sign?
I am a Taurus.
4. 你今年运势怎么样?
今年是我的本命年，希望运气不要太差。
What does your horoscope/star sign say for this year?
It's the year of my Chinese animal sign so I hope my luck won't be too bad.
5. 你知道属兔的人和什么属相的人最配吗?
别迷信了!那些都不可靠。
Do you know which animal signs are best paired with people born in the Year of Rabbit?
Don't be so superstitious. It is not that reliable!
