HSK 7, n, 18 strokes, radical 鸟, rank #4917, Very Hard
yīng(ying1) T1
1eagle, falcon, hawk
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March 24, 2026
鹰(鷹)yīng(ying1)
The character 鹰 (yīng) refers to a bird of prey, specifically an eagle, falcon, or hawk. These birds are known for their keen eyesight and hunting skills, making this word commonly used in discussions about nature, wildlife, and symbolism of strength or freedom.
Strokes18Radical鸟Frequency#4917DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the eagle symbolizes strength, courage, and freedom, often appearing in literature and art as a representation of high aspirations. The phrase '一飞冲天' (yī fēi chōng tiān), meaning 'to soar to the sky', often evokes images of eagles.
Memory Tip
Imagine an eagle soaring high in the sky, its sharp eyes scanning the ground below. The character 鹰 resembles a bird with its wings outstretched, and the 'yīng' sound can remind you of the strong 'wing' that these majestic birds possess.
Meanings of 鹰
yīng(ying1)
1eagle, falcon, hawk
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 鹰
鹰Simplified
鷹Traditional
18Strokes
鸟Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 鹰
Podcast: 鹰
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AI Study Notes for 鹰
Quick Contrast
鹰 (yīng) vs 隼 (sǔn) — use 鹰 for larger birds of prey like eagles, while 隼 refers specifically to smaller falcons.
Usage Notes
When using 鹰, it's important to note that it is often used in a formal context, particularly in literature or discussions about wildlife. A common mistake is to confuse it with other birds of prey; ensure you use it specifically for eagles, falcons, or hawks. Be mindful of the tone; it is pronounced with a high level tone (yīng).
HSK Study Tips
Although 鹰 is not part of the HSK vocabulary list, it relates to the HSK 2 level's focus on animals and nature. Students should pay attention to how this word can enhance their vocabulary related to wildlife, which can also include words like 鸟 (niǎo), meaning 'bird'.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 鹰 with 鸟 (niǎo), which means 'bird' in general. For instance, saying '我看到一个鹰' (Wǒ kàn dào yí ge niǎo) is incorrect; it should be '我看到一只鹰' (Wǒ kàn dào yì zhī yīng) to correctly indicate a specific eagle.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 鹰
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Phonosemantic compound. 鸟 represents the meaning and 䧹 represents the sound. Simplified form of 鷹.
1The meaning half鸟 carries the sense.
2The giveawaybird
3On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 鹰? 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 鹰?
Decomposition of 鹰
IDS Structure⿸⿸广倠鸟
鹰Full Character
=
广Guang3
enclosing
倠sui1
inner
鸟diao3
Exercise 1 of 3
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 鹰?
How to say eagle, falcon, hawk in Chinese
“eagle, falcon, hawk” in Chinese is鹰yīng
The character 鹰 (yīng) refers to a bird of prey, specifically an eagle, falcon, or hawk. These birds are known for their keen eyesight and hunting skills, making this word commonly used in discussions about nature, wildlife, and symbolism of strength or freedom.
When to use 鹰
When using 鹰, it's important to note that it is often used in a formal context, particularly in literature or discussions about wildlife. A common mistake is to confuse it with other birds of prey; ensure you use it specifically for eagles, falcons, or hawks. Be mindful of the tone; it is pronounced with a high level tone (yīng).
鹰 or something close to it
鹰 (yīng) vs 隼 (sǔn) — use 鹰 for larger birds of prey like eagles, while 隼 refers specifically to smaller falcons.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 鹰 with 鸟 (niǎo), which means 'bird' in general. For instance, saying '我看到一个鹰' (Wǒ kàn dào yí ge niǎo) is incorrect; it should be '我看到一只鹰' (Wǒ kàn dào yì zhī yīng) to correctly indicate a specific eagle.
Write 鹰
鹰
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Practice writing 鹰 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 鹰
鹰 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). The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
对于很多加利福尼亚的印第安人而言，猫头____是圣物。
The owl is sacred for many Californian Indian people.
Example Sentences for 鹰 (22)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
对于很多加利福尼亚的印第安人而言，猫头鹰是圣物。
duì yú hěn duō jiā lì fú ní yà de yìn dì ān rén ér yán， ， māo tóu yīng shì shèng。
The owl is sacred for many Californian Indian people.
2
他是新内阁中鹰派色彩最浓的成员之一。
tā shì xīn nèi gé zhōng yīng pài sè cǎi zuì nóng de chéng yuán zhī yī。
He is one of the most hawkish members of the new cabinet.
