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雀 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
雀
qiāo
a freckle
ng, 11 strokes, radical 隹, rank #15140, Very Hard
雀
qiāo
small bird
ng, 11 strokes, radical 隹, rank #15140, Very Hard
雀
qiāo
lentigo
ng, 11 strokes, radical 隹, rank #15140, Very Hard
雀
qiāo
sparrow
ng, 11 strokes, radical 隹, rank #15140, Very Hard
雀
qiāo
also pr. [qiǎo]
ng, 11 strokes, radical 隹, rank #15140, Very Hard
雀
qiāo
also pr. [qiao3]
unknown, 11 strokes, radical 隹, rank #15140, Very Hard
雀
què
a freckle
ng, 11 strokes, radical 隹, rank #15140, Very Hard
雀
què
small bird
ng, 11 strokes, radical 隹, rank #15140, Very Hard
雀
què
lentigo
ng, 11 strokes, radical 隹, rank #15140, Very Hard
雀
què
sparrow
ng, 11 strokes, radical 隹, rank #15140, Very Hard
雀
què
also pr. [qiǎo]
ng, 11 strokes, radical 隹, rank #15140, Very Hard
雀
què
also pr. [qiao3]
unknown, 11 strokes, radical 隹, rank #15140, Very Hard
qiāo(qiao1)qiao
primary
T1
1a freckle
2small bird
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
雀qiāo(qiao1)
The character 雀 (qiāo) primarily means 'small bird,' specifically referring to sparrows. It can also denote a freckle or lentigo in a more specialized context. This character is often used in literary or poetic expressions, conveying a sense of lightness or smallness associated with birds.
Strokes11Radical隹Frequency#15140DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note
In Chinese culture, sparrows (雀) are often seen as symbols of joy and vitality. They appear in traditional poetry and art, representing a carefree spirit and the beauty of nature, especially during springtime.
Memory tip
Imagine a small bird (雀) chirping away in a garden, its tiny body marked with little spots like freckles. The character 雀 looks like a bird perched on a branch, with the top part resembling wings. Picture this bird singing joyfully to remember that 'qiāo' sounds like a gentle 'chirp.'
Meanings of 雀
qiāo(qiao1)
primary
1a freckle
2small bird
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 雀 means.
About 雀
雀Simplified
11Strokes
隹Radical
名语素míngcínoun root (n.root)Part of Speech
#15140Frequency Rank
Podcast: 雀
Podcast: 雀
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AI study notes for 雀
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 雀 with other bird-related characters, so it's important to remember its specific reference to small birds like sparrows. In informal contexts, you might hear it used in idiomatic expressions related to nature. Be mindful of the tones; a mispronunciation can change the meaning entirely.
HSK Study Tips
Although 雀 is not included in the official HSK levels, it connects with other HSK vocabulary related to animals and nature. Students should practice differentiating this character from similar ones, such as 鸟 (bird), to enhance their understanding of avian vocabulary.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mispronounce 雀 as 'qiao3' instead of the correct 'qiāo' for bird-related meanings. Additionally, some may confuse it with similar characters that denote other types of birds, such as 鸟 (niǎo).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 雀
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Tone practice
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Learning Lab
Knowing 雀 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.
The character 雀 (qiāo) primarily means 'small bird,' specifically referring to sparrows. It can also denote a freckle or lentigo in a more specialized context. This character is often used in literary or poetic expressions, conveying a sense of lightness or smallness associated with birds.
When to use 雀
Learners often confuse 雀 with other bird-related characters, so it's important to remember its specific reference to small birds like sparrows. In informal contexts, you might hear it used in idiomatic expressions related to nature. Be mindful of the tones; a mispronunciation can change the meaning entirely.
What learners get wrong
Learners often mispronounce 雀 as 'qiao3' instead of the correct 'qiāo' for bird-related meanings. Additionally, some may confuse it with similar characters that denote other types of birds, such as 鸟 (niǎo).
Write 雀
雀
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Practice writing 雀 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar patterns of 雀
雀 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 6 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.
Exercise 1 of 4
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
他减税的承诺让亢奋的人群欢呼____跃起来。
His tax-cutting pledge brought a delirious crowd to their feet.
Example sentences for 雀 (10)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
他减税的承诺让亢奋的人群欢呼雀跃起来。
tā jiǎn shuì de chéngnuò ràng kàng fèn de rénqún huānhū qiāo yuè qǐlái。
His tax-cutting pledge brought a delirious crowd to their feet.
