HSK 7, n, 16 strokes, radical 隹, rank #11958, Hard
雕
diāo
to carve, to engrave; eagle, vulture
HSK 7, n, 16 strokes, radical 隹, rank #11958, Hard
雕
diāo
shrewd
HSK 7, unknown, 16 strokes, radical 隹, rank #11958, Hard
diāo(diao1) T1
1bird of prey
2to carve, to engrave; eagle, vulture
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March 24, 2026
雕(彫)diāo(diao1)
The character 雕 (diāo) primarily refers to the act of engraving or carving, often associated with artistic craftsmanship. Additionally, it denotes certain birds of prey, such as eagles and vultures, which symbolize strength and keen vision in Chinese culture. It can also describe a person as shrewd or insightful, echoing the sharpness associated with these birds.
Strokes16Radical隹Frequency#11958DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, eagles and vultures are often seen as symbols of power and vision. The art of engraving (雕刻) has a rich history in China, with many traditional crafts emphasizing the beauty and detail of carved works.
Memory Tip
Imagine a skilled artist meticulously carving an eagle out of stone. The left side of the character 雕 resembles a chisel (亻), representing the act of engraving, while the right side (鸟) shows a bird, linking the character's meaning to both artistry and birds of prey.
Meanings of 雕
diāo(diao1)
1bird of prey
2to carve, to engrave; eagle, vulture
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 雕
雕Simplified
彫Traditional
16Strokes
隹Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#11958Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedTOCFLL5CEFRC2
Podcast: 雕
Podcast: 雕
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AI Study Notes for 雕
Quick Contrast
雕 (diāo) vs刻 (kè) — use 雕 for artistic engraving or carving, while 刻 refers to cutting or carving with precision, often in a more mechanical context.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a skilled artist meticulously carving an eagle out of stone. The left side of the character 雕 resembles a chisel (亻), representing the act of engraving, while the right side (鸟) shows a bird, linking the character's meaning to both artistry and birds of prey.
Usage Notes
When using 雕, be mindful of its context as it can refer to both the action of engraving and the bird itself. Common collocations include 雕刻 (diāokè - to engrave) and 雕塑 (diāosù - sculpture). Make sure to use the correct tone, as mispronouncing it can lead to confusion with other similar-sounding words.
HSK Study Tips
Although 雕 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it connects well with other words in the same context, such as 雕刻 (to engrave) and 画 (to paint). Focus on understanding its usage in artistic contexts and as a metaphor for sharpness or cleverness.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, eagles and vultures are often seen as symbols of power and vision. The art of engraving (雕刻) has a rich history in China, with many traditional crafts emphasizing the beauty and detail of carved works.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 雕 with similar characters like 鸟 (bird) due to their visual similarity. Ensure you remember that 雕 specifically pertains to engraving and certain birds of prey, not just any bird.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 雕
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Grammar Patterns of 雕
雕 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 3 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.
With a kitchen knife in his hand, Antonio began to cut and carve this butter.
9
最著名的艺术家之一是英国的雕刻师格林林·吉本斯.
zuì zhù míng de yì shù jiā zhī yī shì yīng guó de diāo kè shī gé lín lín· · jí běn.
One of the most famous artists was the English carver Grinling Gibbons.
10
请看这座萨卢斯蒂奥·班迪尼的雕像，他是一位杰出的锡耶纳人。
qǐng kàn zhè zuò sà lú sī dì ào· · bān dí ní de diāo， xiàng ， tā shì yī wèi jié chū de xī yé。
Note the statue to Sallustio Bandini, a prominent Sienese.
Cultural Notes for 雕
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, eagles and vultures are often seen as symbols of power and vision. The art of engraving (雕刻) has a rich history in China, with many traditional crafts emphasizing the beauty and detail of carved works.
Word Family of 雕
Words Containing This Character20
雕塑diāosùa statue
雕像sculpture
雕diāoto carve
雕刻diāokèto carve
冰雕ice sculpture
雕琢to sculpt
浮雕relief sculpture
石雕stone carving
雕花carving
雕虫小技insignificant talent雕蟲小技
雕刻家sculptor
雕饰to carve雕飾
花雕Shaoxing yellow wine
一箭双雕to kill two birds with one stone一箭雙鵰
雕版a carved printing block
精雕细刻lit. fine sculpting (idiom); fig. to work with extreme care and precision精雕細刻
雕梁画栋richly ornamented (building)雕梁畫棟
微雕a miniature (carving)
牙雕ivory carving
雕刻品sculpture
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 雕塑 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 雕
Common phrases include 雕刻 (diāokè - to engrave) and 雕塑 (diāosù - sculpture).
The correct pronunciation is diāo, with a high first tone.
Yes, it primarily refers to the act of engraving or carving but can also describe a person as shrewd.
