Meanings of 鸮
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About 鸮
Podcast: 鸮
Podcast: 鸮
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AI Study Notes for 鸮
Be careful not to confuse 鸮 with other bird-related characters such as 鸟 (niǎo), which is a general term for 'bird.' Use 鸮 in specific contexts, particularly in literature or discussions about wildlife. The tone should be pronounced with a high level (first tone) to avoid misunderstandings.
Although 鸮 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it can be connected to words related to birds, such as 鸟 (niǎo) and other animal names. Focus on the pronunciation and the context in which 鸮 is used to differentiate it from more common bird terms.
Learners often confuse 鸮 (xiāo) with 鸟 (niǎo) when trying to refer to birds in general. For example, saying '我喜欢鸮' (Wǒ xǐhuān xiāo) to mean 'I like birds' is incorrect; it should be '我喜欢鸟' (Wǒ xǐhuān niǎo).
Pronunciation of 鸮
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Etymology of 鸮
Phonosemantic compound. 鸟 represents the meaning and 号 represents the sound. Simplified form of 鴞.
bird
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 鸮
Phonosemantic compound. 鸟 represents the meaning and 号 represents the sound. Simplified form of 鴞.
- 1The meaning half鸟 carries the sense.
- 2The sound half号 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 鸮? 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 鸮
Identify the Components
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How to say owl in Chinese
“owl” in Chinese is鸮
The character 鸮 (xiāo) refers specifically to owls, which are nocturnal birds known for their distinctive calls and silent flight. In Chinese culture, owls are often associated with wisdom and mystery but can also be linked to omens or bad luck depending on the context. This character is primarily used in formal or literary contexts.
When to use 鸮
Be careful not to confuse 鸮 with other bird-related characters such as 鸟 (niǎo), which is a general term for 'bird.' Use 鸮 in specific contexts, particularly in literature or discussions about wildlife. The tone should be pronounced with a high level (first tone) to avoid misunderstandings.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 鸮 (xiāo) with 鸟 (niǎo) when trying to refer to birds in general. For example, saying '我喜欢鸮' (Wǒ xǐhuān xiāo) to mean 'I like birds' is incorrect; it should be '我喜欢鸟' (Wǒ xǐhuān niǎo).
Write 鸮
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Practice writing 鸮 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Word Family of 鸮
Compound Meaning
What does 鸮 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 鸮
It is pronounced as 'xiāo' with a high first tone.
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