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March 24, 2026
雄xióng(xiong2)
The character 雄 (xióng) primarily refers to the male gender, especially in the context of animals and plants, where it denotes staminate forms. It also conveys a sense of grandeur, power, and might, often used to describe heroic or influential individuals or entities, such as leaders or powerful figures in society.
Strokes12Radical隹Frequency#8044DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of 雄 is often associated with traditional masculinity, which values strength and leadership. This character frequently appears in literature and folklore, representing heroes who embody these traits.
Memory Tip
Imagine a mighty lion (雄) standing tall and proud. The left side of the character resembles a strong man (亻) standing confidently, while the right side (雄) can be visualized as the roaring lion, representing strength and power. Together, they depict a grand figure, embodying masculinity and authority.
Meanings of 雄
xióng(xiong2)
1male
2staminate
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 雄
雄Simplified
12Strokes
隹Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#8044Frequency Rank
Podcast: 雄
Podcast: 雄
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AI Study Notes for 雄
Quick Contrast
雄 (xióng) vs 雌 (cí) — use 雄 when referring to male forms or masculine qualities, while 雌 specifically denotes female forms or feminine qualities.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a mighty lion (雄) standing tall and proud. The left side of the character resembles a strong man (亻) standing confidently, while the right side (雄) can be visualized as the roaring lion, representing strength and power. Together, they depict a grand figure, embodying masculinity and authority.
Usage Notes
雄 is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts, but be cautious with its applications in gender-specific references. A common mistake is confusing it with the character 雌 (cí), which means female. It often collocates with words like 雄伟 (xióngwěi, grand and imposing) and 英雄 (yīngxióng, hero).
HSK Study Tips
Although 雄 is not an HSK word, it connects with HSK vocabulary related to animals and gender distinctions. Students should focus on its usage in describing powerful beings or leaders, which will enhance their understanding of gender in Chinese.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of 雄 is often associated with traditional masculinity, which values strength and leadership. This character frequently appears in literature and folklore, representing heroes who embody these traits.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 雄 with 雌 when discussing gender; for example, saying 雄鸟 (male bird) instead of the correct 雄性鸟 (male species bird) can lead to misunderstandings. It's essential to pay attention to context and ensure clarity in gender references.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 雄
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Grammar Patterns of 雄
雄 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 8 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.
Love songs trick us into believing in knights in shining armor.
9
在格林尼治村的酒吧里杰克是人们心目中的英雄。
zài gé lín ní zhì cūn de jiǔ bā lǐ jié kè shì rén mén xīn mù zhōng de yīng xióng。
Jack was a folk hero in the Greenwich Village bars.
10
下弦能够产生雄壮浑厚的音响效果。
xià xián néng gòu chǎn shēng xióng zhuàng hún hòu de yīn xiǎng xiào guǒ。
The lower strings contribute a splendid richness of sonority.
Cultural Notes for 雄
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the concept of 雄 is often associated with traditional masculinity, which values strength and leadership. This character frequently appears in literature and folklore, representing heroes who embody these traits.
Word Family of 雄
Words Containing This Character20
英雄yīngxiónghero
雄xióngmale
雄厚xiónghòurobust
雄性male
雄心great ambition
雌雄cíxióngmale and female
雄伟xióngwěigrand雄偉
高雄Kaohsiung or Gaoxiong city and county in south Taiwan
雄风awe-inspiring雄風
群雄outstanding heroes
雄鹰male eagle雄鷹
雄心勃勃pushy
雄狮male lion雄獅
雄壮majestic雄壯
雄辩eloquent雄辯
民族英雄national hero
高雄市Kaohsiung or Gaoxiong city in south Taiwan
雄浑vigorous雄渾
枭雄formidable person梟雄
雄激素male hormone
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 英雄 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 雄
Yes, 雄 can also be used to describe people or concepts that embody strength or dominance. For instance, one might refer to a leader as 雄才大略 (xióng cái dà lüè), meaning 'a person of great talent and vision,' highlighting their powerful qualities.
雄 (xióng) refers to the male gender, while 雌 (cí) refers to the female gender in Chinese. These terms are commonly used in biology and zoology to distinguish between male and female species. For example, 雄鸟 means 'male bird' and 雌鸟 means 'female bird.'
You can use 雄 in a sentence such as '这只雄狮非常威武' (zhè zhī xióng shī fēi cháng wēi wǔ), which translates to 'This male lion is very majestic.' It often describes male animals or can be used metaphorically to describe powerful people or things.
雄 (xióng) means 'male' or 'masculine' in Chinese. It can also imply qualities such as being grand, imposing, powerful, or mighty. This character is often used in contexts related to strength or dominance.
No, 雄 can refer to powerful men, leaders, or even abstract concepts of might and influence.
The opposite is 雌 (cí), which denotes the female gender, particularly in animals and plants.
Yes, it can describe grand or imposing characteristics of objects or places, but it typically refers to living beings.
