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鷀 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
鷀cíthe fishing cormorantx, 20 strokes, radical 鳥
cí(ci2) T2
  1. 1the fishing cormorant
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

鷀cí(ci2)

The character 鷀 (cí) refers to the fishing cormorant, a bird commonly used in traditional fishing practices in China. This bird is trained to dive and catch fish, showcasing a unique interaction between humans and nature, particularly in regions with water bodies.

Strokes20Radical鳥
Cultural Note

Cormorant fishing is a traditional practice in China, particularly in the southern regions, where fishermen use trained cormorants to catch fish. This method has been recognized as a cultural heritage, highlighting the harmonious relationship between humans and wildlife.

Memory Tip

Imagine a cormorant sitting on a rock, its dark feathers glistening as it prepares to dive into the water. The character 鷀 has a bird radical (鳥) on the top, representing its avian nature, and the bottom part suggests movement, linking to its fishing behavior.

Meanings of 鷀

cí(ci2)
1the fishing cormorant
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 鷀

鷀Simplified
20Strokes
鳥Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 鷀

JasonAmy

Podcast: 鷀

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AI Study Notes for 鷀

Usage Notes

This word is rarely used in everyday conversation and may appear in discussions about traditional fishing techniques or wildlife. Be cautious not to confuse it with similar-sounding words that refer to other birds or animals. It's more commonly found in formal literature rather than casual speech.

HSK Study Tips

Since 鷀 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, learners should focus on its context within traditional Chinese practices. Relating it to words about nature and animals at higher HSK levels can enrich vocabulary understanding.

Common Mistakes

Learners may confuse 鷀 with other bird characters due to similar pronunciations or appearances. For example, mistaking it for 鸦 (yā), which means 'crow.' Always check the context to ensure the correct bird is referenced.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 鷀

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Etymology of 鷀

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

bird

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

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 鷀

  1. 1The meaning half鳥 carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half兹 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 鷀? 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 鷀?

Decomposition of 鷀

IDS Structure⿰兹鳥
鷀Full Character
=
兹zi1
left
鳥niao3
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 鷀?

How to say the fishing cormorant in Chinese

“the fishing cormorant” in Chinese is鷀cí

The character 鷀 (cí) refers to the fishing cormorant, a bird commonly used in traditional fishing practices in China. This bird is trained to dive and catch fish, showcasing a unique interaction between humans and nature, particularly in regions with water bodies.

When to use 鷀

This word is rarely used in everyday conversation and may appear in discussions about traditional fishing techniques or wildlife. Be cautious not to confuse it with similar-sounding words that refer to other birds or animals. It's more commonly found in formal literature rather than casual speech.

What learners get wrong

Learners may confuse 鷀 with other bird characters due to similar pronunciations or appearances. For example, mistaking it for 鸦 (yā), which means 'crow.' Always check the context to ensure the correct bird is referenced.

Write 鷀

鷀

Practice writing 鷀 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 鷀

Words Containing This Character2
鸬鹚cormorant鸕鶿
鹚cícormorant鶿
Exercise 1 of 2

Compound Meaning

What does 鸬鹚 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 鷀

It means 'the fishing cormorant,' a bird traditionally used for fishing.

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