Meanings of 鸥
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About 鸥
Podcast: 鸥
Podcast: 鸥
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AI Study Notes for 鸥
Be cautious not to confuse 鸥 with other bird-related terms such as 鸟 (niǎo), which generically means 'bird.' Usage of 鸥 is more specific and often appears in literary or descriptive contexts rather than casual conversation. Ensure the pronunciation stays flat and steady, as the tone can change the meaning.
Although 鸥 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, it connects to HSK Level 2 and 3 words related to animals and nature, like 动物 (dòngwù, animal) and 飞 (fēi, to fly). Students should focus on differentiating birds in Chinese and associating them with their habitats.
Learners often confuse 鸥 with similar-sounding words like 鳥 (niǎo) and misspell it as 'ou' instead of 'ōu.' Remember that 鸥 specifically refers to seagulls, not just any bird.
Pronunciation of 鸥
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Etymology of 鸥
Phonosemantic compound. 鸟 represents the meaning and 区 represents the sound. Simplified form of 鷗.
bird
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 鸥
Phonosemantic compound. 鸟 represents the meaning and 区 represents the sound. Simplified form of 鷗.
- 1The meaning half鸟 carries the sense.
- 2The sound half区 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
- 3The giveawaybird
- 4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 鸥? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.Character Formation Type
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Decomposition of 鸥
Identify the Components
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How to say seagull, tern; Larus species (various) in Chinese
“seagull, tern; Larus species (various)” in Chinese is鸥
鸥 (ōu) refers to a type of seabird commonly known as a seagull or tern, belonging to the family Laridae. These birds are often found near coastal areas and are recognized for their distinctive calls and gliding flight patterns. The term is frequently used in contexts related to nature, wildlife, and coastal environments.
When to use 鸥
Be cautious not to confuse 鸥 with other bird-related terms such as 鸟 (niǎo), which generically means 'bird.' Usage of 鸥 is more specific and often appears in literary or descriptive contexts rather than casual conversation. Ensure the pronunciation stays flat and steady, as the tone can change the meaning.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 鸥 with similar-sounding words like 鳥 (niǎo) and misspell it as 'ou' instead of 'ōu.' Remember that 鸥 specifically refers to seagulls, not just any bird.
Write 鸥
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Practice writing 鸥 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 鸥
鸥 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Complete the Sentence
贼____是飞行速度很快的黑色鸟类，尾部长而分叉。
Jaegers are swift black birds with long forked tails.
Example Sentences for 鸥 (4)
Word Family of 鸥
Compound Meaning
What does 海鸥 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 鸥
The correct pronunciation is 'ōu,' with a flat first tone.
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