Meanings of 鼹
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About 鼹
Podcast: 鼹
Podcast: 鼹
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AI Study Notes for 鼹
When using 鼹, be careful to maintain the correct pronunciation with a falling-rising tone (yǎn). It is primarily used in written contexts or formal discussions about animals and is not commonly used in everyday conversation. Avoid confusing it with similar-sounding words that refer to different animals.
Although 鼹 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, it can be linked to HSK Level 3 or higher words like 动物 (dòngwù - animal) and 地下 (dìxià - underground). Learners should focus on pronunciation and recognizing it in context, especially in texts related to nature.
Learners often confuse 鼹 with similar-sounding characters like 眼 (yǎn - eye) due to the tones. Always check the context, as using the wrong character can lead to misunderstandings.
Pronunciation of 鼹
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Etymology of 鼹
rat
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 鼹
- 1The meaning half鼠 carries the sense.
- 2The sound half晏 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
- 3The giveawayrat
- 4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 鼹? 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 鼹
Identify the Components
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How to say a kind of insectivorous rodent in Chinese
“a kind of insectivorous rodent” in Chinese is鼹
The character 鼹 (yǎn) refers to a mole, which is an insectivorous rodent known for its burrowing habits. Moles are often found underground and are recognized for their velvety fur and strong forelimbs used for digging. In a broader context, this term can be used in discussions about wildlife or the environment.
When to use 鼹
When using 鼹, be careful to maintain the correct pronunciation with a falling-rising tone (yǎn). It is primarily used in written contexts or formal discussions about animals and is not commonly used in everyday conversation. Avoid confusing it with similar-sounding words that refer to different animals.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 鼹 with similar-sounding characters like 眼 (yǎn - eye) due to the tones. Always check the context, as using the wrong character can lead to misunderstandings.
Write 鼹
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Practice writing 鼹 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 鼹
鼹 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
____鼠的前足非常有力，擅长挖洞。
Moles have powerful forefeet for digging.
Example Sentences for 鼹 (2)
Word Family of 鼹
Compound Meaning
What does 鼹鼠 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 鼹
It is pronounced 'yǎn' with a falling-rising tone.
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