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鹪 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
鹪jiāowrenn, 17 strokes, radical 鸟
鹪jiāoeastern wrenunknown, 17 strokes, radical 鸟
jiāo(jiao1) T1
  1. 1wren
  2. 2eastern wren
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

鹪(鷦)jiāo(jiao1)

The character 鹪 (jiāo) refers to a small bird known as the wren, particularly the eastern wren. Commonly found in East Asia, this bird is recognized for its distinct appearance and melodious song, often associated with nature and tranquility in Chinese poetry.

Strokes17Radical鸟
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, birds like the wren are often symbolic of freedom and the beauty of nature, featuring prominently in traditional poetry and art. The wren's song is celebrated for its harmonious sound, embodying the spirit of spring.

Memory Tip

Imagine a tiny bird, the wren, flitting about in the trees. The character 鹪 has the radical for bird (鸟) at the bottom, reminding you that it's a bird. The pronunciation 'jiāo' sounds like 'jowl,' which can remind you of a small bird pecking at the ground.

Meanings of 鹪

jiāo(jiao1)
1wren
2eastern wren
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 鹪

鹪Simplified
鷦Traditional
17Strokes
鸟Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 鹪

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Podcast: 鹪

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AI Study Notes for 鹪

Usage Notes

When using 鹪, it's important to be aware that it's a specific term for the wren, so it should not be confused with other bird names. It's generally used in literary contexts or discussions about wildlife. Be mindful of the tonal pronunciation to avoid confusion with other words.

HSK Study Tips

Although 鹪 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it can be useful for learners interested in nature and animal vocabulary. Students at this level should focus on the bird radical and other related terms to expand their vocabulary.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 鹪 with other bird names due to its specific reference. For example, mistakenly using it to refer to any small bird instead of specifically the wren can lead to misunderstandings.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 鹪

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Etymology of 鹪

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

bird

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

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 鹪

  1. 1The meaning half鸟 carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half焦 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 鹪? 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 鹪?

Decomposition of 鹪

IDS Structure⿰焦鸟
鹪Full Character
=
焦Jiao1
left
鸟diao3
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 鹪?

How to say wren in Chinese

“wren” in Chinese is鹪jiāo

The character 鹪 (jiāo) refers to a small bird known as the wren, particularly the eastern wren. Commonly found in East Asia, this bird is recognized for its distinct appearance and melodious song, often associated with nature and tranquility in Chinese poetry.

When to use 鹪

When using 鹪, it's important to be aware that it's a specific term for the wren, so it should not be confused with other bird names. It's generally used in literary contexts or discussions about wildlife. Be mindful of the tonal pronunciation to avoid confusion with other words.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 鹪 with other bird names due to its specific reference. For example, mistakenly using it to refer to any small bird instead of specifically the wren can lead to misunderstandings.

Write 鹪

鹪

Practice writing 鹪 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 鹪

Words Containing This Character2
鹪jiāoeastern wren鷦
鹪鹩(bird species of China) Eurasian wren (Troglodytes troglodytes)鷦鷯
Exercise 1 of 2

Compound Meaning

What does 鹪 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 鹪

The wren is known for its small size and melodious song, making it a favorite subject in nature poetry.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 鹪?

Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.