Meanings of 鸟
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About 鸟
Podcast: 鸟
Podcast: 鸟
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AI Study Notes for 鸟
鸟 (bird) vs 鸡 (chicken) — use 鸟 for wild or generic birds, and 鸡 specifically for domesticated chickens.
Imagine a bird flying high in the sky, its wings spreading like the shape of the character 鸟. The top part resembles a bird's beak, and the bottom part resembles its body. To remember the pronunciation 'diǎo', think of a bird's call echoing across a field.
Be cautious of the tone when pronouncing 鸟, as mispronouncing it can lead to confusion with '屌' (diǎo), which has a vulgar meaning. This character is often used in informal settings, especially when discussing animals or nature. Common collocations include '鸟类' (niǎo lèi - bird species) and '飞鸟' (fēi niǎo - flying bird).
As an HSK Level 3 word, 鸟 connects well with other nature-related vocabulary like '鱼' (yú - fish) and '兽' (shòu - beast). Students should focus on its pronunciation and usage in sentences describing animals and their characteristics.
In Chinese culture, birds often symbolize freedom and are associated with good fortune. The character 鸟 appears in many idioms, such as '鸟语花香' (niǎo yǔ huā xiāng), which describes a beautiful spring day filled with the sounds of birds and fragrant flowers.
Learners often confuse 鸟 with 屌 due to their similar pronunciation. For example, saying '我看到一只屌' (Wǒ kàn dào yī zhī diǎo) instead of '我看到一只鸟' (Wǒ kàn dào yī zhī niǎo) can lead to an awkward misunderstanding.
Pronunciation of 鸟
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Etymology of 鸟
Simplified form of 鳥. Pictograph of a bird.
Simplified form of 烏, a bird
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 鸟?
Write 鸟
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Practice writing 鸟 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 鸟
鸟 carries 6 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
Complete the Sentence
天上飞来几只____。
A few birds flew over in the sky.
Common Confusions with 鸟
Variant form; same pronunciation but different context.
Spot the Difference
Which character means "bird"?
Example Sentences for 鸟 (10)
Cultural Notes for 鸟
'鸟' is a common symbol in Chinese culture, often representing freedom and transcendence. Birds are celebrated in poetry and art, symbolizing the beauty of nature.
In Chinese culture, birds often symbolize freedom and are associated with good fortune. The character 鸟 appears in many idioms, such as '鸟语花香' (niǎo yǔ huā xiāng), which describes a beautiful spring day filled with the sounds of birds and fragrant flowers.
In many cultures, birds are seen as messengers of the gods. In Chinese culture, they are often associated with good luck and prosperity, particularly the phoenix.
Word Family of 鸟
Compound Meaning
What does 鸡 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 鸟
Yes, 鸟 (diǎo) can be used as slang for 'penis' in informal contexts. It is important to understand the audience and the setting when using this term, as it can be considered vulgar.