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March 24, 2026
啁zhāo(zhao1)
The character 啁 (zhāo) refers to the sound made by birds, specifically their chirping or twittering. It is often used in poetic contexts to describe the pleasant sounds of nature, especially during springtime. This term conveys a sense of liveliness and is typically associated with the beauty of avian life.
Strokes11Radical口Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, bird songs are often celebrated in poetry and art, symbolizing freedom and vitality. The sound of birds chirping is associated with the arrival of spring and is a common motif in traditional Chinese aesthetics.
Memory Tip
Imagine a bird chirping excitedly, making the sound 'zhāo' as it flits from branch to branch. The character 啁 has the radical 口 (kǒu), meaning 'mouth,' suggesting that the sound is produced vocally. Visualize birds using their mouths to create cheerful music in the trees.
Meanings of 啁
zhāo(zhao1)
primary
1to chirp, to twitter
2twittering of birds
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 啁
啁Simplified
11Strokes
口Radical
拟声词onomatopoeia (onom.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 啁
Podcast: 啁
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AI Study Notes for 啁
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a bird chirping excitedly, making the sound 'zhāo' as it flits from branch to branch. The character 啁 has the radical 口 (kǒu), meaning 'mouth,' suggesting that the sound is produced vocally. Visualize birds using their mouths to create cheerful music in the trees.
Usage Notes
啁 is primarily used in literary contexts and may sound overly formal in casual conversations. Be careful not to confuse it with similar-sounding characters like '招' (zhāo), which means to beckon. Common collocations include phrases describing birds or nature.
HSK Study Tips
While 啁 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, it complements HSK Level 4 themes related to nature and animals. Students should focus on recognizing this character alongside others that describe sounds or movements of creatures.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, bird songs are often celebrated in poetry and art, symbolizing freedom and vitality. The sound of birds chirping is associated with the arrival of spring and is a common motif in traditional Chinese aesthetics.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 啁 with similar characters like 嘲 (cháo), which means to mock. Remember, 啁 specifically relates to the chirping of birds, while 嘲 refers to a negative action.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 啁
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Cultural Notes for 啁
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, bird songs are often celebrated in poetry and art, symbolizing freedom and vitality. The sound of birds chirping is associated with the arrival of spring and is a common motif in traditional Chinese aesthetics.
Word Family of 啁
Words Containing This Character2
啁啾chirp
啁zhāotwittering of birds
Exercise 1 of 2
Compound Meaning
What does 啁啾 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 啁
啁 is used to describe the sound of birds chirping, as in 'The birds are 啁啁 (chirping) in the morning.'
No, 啁 is more commonly found in poetry or literary texts rather than in everyday speech.
It is pronounced 'zhāo', with the first tone being high and level.
