Skip to content
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
梟 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
梟xiāoowl; evil; bravex, 11 strokes, radical 木
xiāo(xiao1)xiao T1
  1. 1owl; evil; brave
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

梟xiāo(xiao1)

The character 梟 (xiāo) primarily refers to an 'owl', a bird often associated with wisdom in Western cultures but sometimes linked to evil or bad omens in Chinese culture. In certain contexts, it symbolizes bravery or fierceness, reflecting how owls are seen as formidable hunters. This word is commonly used in literature and folklore.

Strokes11Radical木
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, owls are often seen as omens of death or bad luck, contrasting with their Western symbolism of wisdom. This duality can be explored in various stories and proverbs, reflecting the complex views on nature and animals in Chinese tradition.

Memory Tip

Imagine an owl perched on a tree branch, its wide eyes staring into the night. The character 梟 contains the radical '木' (tree), emphasizing its habitat, and the '夭', which can remind you of the owl's sharp, fierce nature. Picture the owl bravely hunting in the dark, its name 'xiāo' echoing in the silent night.

Meanings of 梟

xiāo(xiao1)
1owl; evil; brave
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

Play it, then pick what 梟 means.

About 梟

梟Simplified
11Strokes
木Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 梟

JasonAmy

Podcast: 梟

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 梟

Usage Notes

When using 梟, be mindful that it can carry negative connotations in some contexts, so it’s best used in literary or metaphorical situations rather than everyday conversation. Common collocations include phrases that describe bravery or cunning. Ensure clarity on tone; xiāo is pronounced with a high level tone (first tone).

HSK Study Tips

Although 梟 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, understanding it can enrich your knowledge of animal-related characters. It connects with other animal characters like 鸟 (niǎo - bird) and 狼 (láng - wolf), which can help learners build a broader vocabulary around animals.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 梟 with similar-sounding characters like 小 (xiǎo - small). For example, saying '我喜欢小' (wǒ xǐhuān xiǎo - I like small) instead of '我喜欢梟' (wǒ xǐhuān xiāo - I like owls) can lead to confusion. Always double-check the character to ensure accurate meaning.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 梟

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 梟 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
See plans to unlock

Jason Explains 梟 to You

Let me explain 梟 for you

Make it yours

Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 梟 through them.

Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 300 AI credits.

How Well Do You Know 梟?

Example

Learning Lab

Knowing 梟 is seven skills, not one.

Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.

  • MeaningFree
  • CharacterFree
  • PinyinFree
  • TonePro
  • ListeningPro
  • SpeakingPro
  • WritingPro
See the Learning Lab Three facets free · no card needed

Etymology of 梟

Formation TypeIdeographic 指事
六书 ClassificationIdeograph (指事字)~2% of characters
Memory Hint

A bird 鳥 roosting in a tree 木

Learn more about Ideograph (指事字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

What kind of character is 梟?

Decomposition of 梟

IDS Structure⿱鳥木
梟Full Character
=
鳥niao3
top
木Mu4
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 梟?

How to say owl; evil; brave in Chinese

“owl; evil; brave” in Chinese is梟xiāo

The character 梟 (xiāo) primarily refers to an 'owl', a bird often associated with wisdom in Western cultures but sometimes linked to evil or bad omens in Chinese culture. In certain contexts, it symbolizes bravery or fierceness, reflecting how owls are seen as formidable hunters. This word is commonly used in literature and folklore.

When to use 梟

When using 梟, be mindful that it can carry negative connotations in some contexts, so it’s best used in literary or metaphorical situations rather than everyday conversation. Common collocations include phrases that describe bravery or cunning. Ensure clarity on tone; xiāo is pronounced with a high level tone (first tone).

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 梟 with similar-sounding characters like 小 (xiǎo - small). For example, saying '我喜欢小' (wǒ xǐhuān xiǎo - I like small) instead of '我喜欢梟' (wǒ xǐhuān xiāo - I like owls) can lead to confusion. Always double-check the character to ensure accurate meaning.

Write 梟

梟

Practice writing 梟 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Ask Jason

Have a question about 梟?

Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.

Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 300 AI credits.

Word Family of 梟

Words Containing This Character5
毒枭drug pusher毒梟
枭xiāoowl梟
枭雄formidable person梟雄
枭首to behead梟首
枭首示众to behead sb and display the head in public梟首示眾
Exercise 1 of 4

Words with 梟

What does 毒枭 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 梟

It can symbolize both wisdom and evil, often depending on the context.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 梟?

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.

A sample week, replayed. Every page you study lands here in the order you did it — your own replay starts with a free account.

See the Learning Lab