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鸕 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
鸕lúcormorantx, 27 strokes, radical 鳥
lú(lu2) T2
  1. 1cormorant
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

鸕lú(lu2)

The character 鸕 (lú) refers to a cormorant, a type of waterbird known for its fishing abilities. In Chinese culture, cormorants are often associated with fishing practices, where they are trained to catch fish for their handlers. This word is commonly used in discussions about wildlife, nature, and fishing traditions.

Strokes27Radical鳥
Cultural Note

In some regions of China, cormorant fishing is still practiced, particularly in areas like Guilin. This traditional method highlights the relationship between humans and nature and is a fascinating aspect of Chinese fishing culture.

Memory Tip

Imagine a cormorant with its long neck stretching towards the water, ready to dive. The character 鸕 has the radical for bird (鸟), which helps remind you that it is a type of bird, and the pronunciation 'lú' can be remembered by picturing a bird 'lu-ting' in the water.

Meanings of 鸕

lú(lu2)
1cormorant
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 鸕

鸕Simplified
27Strokes
鳥Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 鸕

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Podcast: 鸕

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 鸕

Usage Notes

When using 鸕, it's important to remember that it is a more formal term and may not be commonly used in everyday conversation. It is often seen in literary or documentary contexts. Avoid confusing it with similar-sounding words like 'lu' (路), which means 'road.'

HSK Study Tips

While 鸕 is not included in HSK levels, it can be beneficial to learn alongside related vocabulary about animals and nature. Students should focus on understanding its context in fishing and wildlife discussions, as it can enhance their vocabulary in specific areas.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 鸕 (lú) with similar characters or pronunciations. For instance, they might mistakenly say 鸕 when they mean 'lu' (路, road). It's essential to pay attention to context when using this word.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 鸕

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Etymology of 鸕

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

bird

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

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 鸕

  1. 1The meaning half鳥 carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half盧 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
  3. 3The giveawaybird
  4. 4On the record aspictophonetic.

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

Want the full history of 鸕? 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 鸕?

Decomposition of 鸕

IDS Structure⿰盧鳥
鸕Full Character
=
盧lu2
left
鳥niao3
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 鸕?

How to say cormorant in Chinese

“cormorant” in Chinese is鸕lú

The character 鸕 (lú) refers to a cormorant, a type of waterbird known for its fishing abilities. In Chinese culture, cormorants are often associated with fishing practices, where they are trained to catch fish for their handlers. This word is commonly used in discussions about wildlife, nature, and fishing traditions.

When to use 鸕

When using 鸕, it's important to remember that it is a more formal term and may not be commonly used in everyday conversation. It is often seen in literary or documentary contexts. Avoid confusing it with similar-sounding words like 'lu' (路), which means 'road.'

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 鸕 (lú) with similar characters or pronunciations. For instance, they might mistakenly say 鸕 when they mean 'lu' (路, road). It's essential to pay attention to context when using this word.

Write 鸕

鸕

Practice writing 鸕 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 鸕

Words Containing This Character2
鸬鹚cormorant鸕鶿
鸬lúcormorant鸕
Exercise 1 of 2

Compound Meaning

What does 鸬鹚 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 鸕

Cormorants are often trained for fishing, where they dive to catch fish and bring them back to their handlers.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 鸕?

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.