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猵 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
猵biānotterx, 12 strokes, radical 犭
猵biāna kind of otterunknown, 12 strokes, radical 犭
猵piànotterx, 12 strokes, radical 犭
猵piàna kind of otterunknown, 12 strokes, radical 犭
biān(bian1)
primary
 T1
  1. 1otter
  2. 2a kind of otter
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

猵biān(bian1)

The character 猵 (biān) refers to an otter, a semi-aquatic mammal known for its playful behavior and agility in water. It is often used in literary contexts or in discussions about wildlife, particularly in relation to the specific species of otters found in China.

Strokes12Radical犭
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, otters are often seen as symbols of playfulness and adaptability, which resonates with their behavior in nature. They are also featured in traditional stories and folklore, emphasizing the relationship between humans and animals.

Memory Tip

Imagine an otter swimming in a river, its sleek body gliding gracefully through the water. The character 猵 has a radical for 'animal' (犭) on the left, which connects to its meaning as a creature, while the right side suggests 'change' or 'moving' (变), reflecting the otter's agile movements.

Meanings of 猵

biān(bian1)
primary
1otter
2a kind of otter
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 猵

猵Simplified
12Strokes
犭Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 猵

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Podcast: 猵

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AI Study Notes for 猵

Usage Notes

This character is not commonly used in everyday conversation and may be more prevalent in written texts or specific discussions about wildlife. Be careful not to confuse it with similar characters that refer to other animals. The term 猵狙 (pian4 ju1) specifically denotes a type of otter, so context is important.

HSK Study Tips

While 猵 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, it can be useful for learners interested in animal names or ecological studies. Focus on recognizing this character in reading materials about nature to enhance your vocabulary related to wildlife.

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes confuse 猵 with similar characters like 狐 (hú, fox) or 豕 (shǐ, pig). For example, saying '我喜欢猵' (I like otters) is correct, but ensure the context is appropriate since it is not commonly discussed.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 猵

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Etymology of 猵

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Memory Hint

animal

Semantic (meaning)犭
+
Phonetic (sound)扁
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 猵

  1. 1The meaning half犭 carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half扁 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
  3. 3The giveawayanimal
  4. 4On the record aspictophonetic.

Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.

Want the full history of 猵? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.

Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 猵?

Decomposition of 猵

IDS Structure⿰犭扁
猵Full Character
=
犭quan3
left
扁bian3
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 猵?

How to say otter in Chinese

“otter” in Chinese is猵biān

The character 猵 (biān) refers to an otter, a semi-aquatic mammal known for its playful behavior and agility in water. It is often used in literary contexts or in discussions about wildlife, particularly in relation to the specific species of otters found in China.

When to use 猵

This character is not commonly used in everyday conversation and may be more prevalent in written texts or specific discussions about wildlife. Be careful not to confuse it with similar characters that refer to other animals. The term 猵狙 (pian4 ju1) specifically denotes a type of otter, so context is important.

What learners get wrong

Learners sometimes confuse 猵 with similar characters like 狐 (hú, fox) or 豕 (shǐ, pig). For example, saying '我喜欢猵' (I like otters) is correct, but ensure the context is appropriate since it is not commonly discussed.

Write 猵

猵

Practice writing 猵 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Word Family of 猵

Words Containing This Character1
猵biāna kind of otter
Exercise 1 of 1

Compound Meaning

What does 猵 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 猵

It is pronounced as 'biān'.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 猵?

Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.