Meanings of 鹜
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About 鹜
Podcast: 鹜
Podcast: 鹜
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AI Study Notes for 鹜
鸭 (yā) refers to ducks in general, while 鹜 (wù) specifically denotes a type of wild duck.
Be cautious not to confuse 鹜 with 鸭 (yā), which is the more common term for duck in everyday conversation. This word is more formal and may appear in poetry or formal writing, so it’s important to match your language register accordingly.
While 鹜 is not part of the HSK vocabulary list, it can enhance your understanding of animal-related terms. Focus on recognizing it in context, especially in literary texts, and relate it to other animal characters you learn at this level.
Learners often confuse 鹜 with 鸭 (yā), mistakenly using it in casual settings. For example, saying '我想吃鹜' (Wǒ xiǎng chī wù) instead of '我想吃鸭' (Wǒ xiǎng chī yā) would sound overly formal.
Pronunciation of 鹜
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Etymology of 鹜
bird
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 鹜
- 1The meaning half鸟 carries the sense.
- 2The sound half敄 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 鹜? 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 鹜
Identify the Components
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How to say duck in Chinese
“duck” in Chinese is鹜
The character 鹜 (wù) refers specifically to a type of duck, often associated with wild ducks. It is less commonly used than the more general term for duck, 鸭 (yā), and is typically found in literary contexts or discussions about wildlife.
When to use 鹜
Be cautious not to confuse 鹜 with 鸭 (yā), which is the more common term for duck in everyday conversation. This word is more formal and may appear in poetry or formal writing, so it’s important to match your language register accordingly.
鹜 or something close to it
鸭 (yā) refers to ducks in general, while 鹜 (wù) specifically denotes a type of wild duck.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 鹜 with 鸭 (yā), mistakenly using it in casual settings. For example, saying '我想吃鹜' (Wǒ xiǎng chī wù) instead of '我想吃鸭' (Wǒ xiǎng chī yā) would sound overly formal.
Write 鹜
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Practice writing 鹜 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Word Family of 鹜
Compound Meaning
What does 趋之若鹜 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 鹜
No, 鹜 is more commonly found in literary contexts rather than in everyday speech.
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