狮子座 literally means 'lion seat' or 'lion constellation' and refers to the astrological sign Leo, which spans from July 23 to August 22. The character 狮 (shī) means 'lion', a symbol of strength and confidence in both Western astrology and Chinese cultural associations; 子 (zi) is a grammatical particle here with no independent meaning—it forms part of the fixed compound for zodiac signs (e.g., 天秤座, 水瓶座); and 座 (zuò) means 'seat' or 'constellation', used consistently in all twelve zodiac names to denote an astrological 'sign' or 'house'.

This term is used almost exclusively in horoscope contexts—such as daily predictions, personality descriptions, or compatibility discussions—and appears frequently in magazines, apps, and casual conversation among young Chinese people interested in astrology. While it borrows the Western zodiac system, its pronunciation and written form are fully Sinicized, and it carries no direct connection to actual astronomy or Chinese traditional constellations.