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March 24, 2026
鴉yā(ya1)
The character 鴉 (yā) refers to a crow, a bird known for its intelligence and adaptability. In Chinese culture, crows often symbolize bad omens or misfortune, but they can also represent intelligence and resourcefulness in certain contexts. This word is commonly used in literature and idiomatic expressions.
Strokes15Radical鳥Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, crows are often associated with death and misfortune, especially in folklore and traditional stories. They can also be seen as symbols of loyalty, as they are known to mate for life.
Memory Tip
Imagine a crow (鴉) sitting on a branch, cawing loudly. The top part of the character resembles a bird's beak, while the bottom suggests its body. Remember 'yā' sounds like 'yeah'—as if the crow is celebrating its cleverness.
Meanings of 鴉
yā(ya1)
1crow; Corvus species (various)
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 鴉
鴉Simplified
15Strokes
鳥Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 鴉
Podcast: 鴉
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AI Study Notes for 鴉
Quick Contrast
乌鸦 (wūyā) vs 鴉 (yā): Use 鴉 for literary or formal contexts, while 乌鸦 is more common in everyday speech.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a crow (鴉) sitting on a branch, cawing loudly. The top part of the character resembles a bird's beak, while the bottom suggests its body. Remember 'yā' sounds like 'yeah'—as if the crow is celebrating its cleverness.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 鴉 (yā, crow) with other similar characters like 鳥 (niǎo, bird). 鴉 is more specific to crows, while 鳥 can refer to any bird. This word is more commonly used in literary contexts rather than everyday conversation.
HSK Study Tips
Although 鴉 is not included in the HSK levels, it connects to HSK vocabulary related to animals. Students should focus on recognizing the character's structure and its usage in idiomatic expressions involving birds.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, crows are often associated with death and misfortune, especially in folklore and traditional stories. They can also be seen as symbols of loyalty, as they are known to mate for life.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 鴉 with 鳥 (niǎo), leading to incorrect usage like saying 鳥 for crows. Remember, 鴉 is specific to crows, while 鳥 is more general. Use 鴉 when specifically talking about crows.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 鴉
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Cultural Notes for 鴉
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, crows are often associated with death and misfortune, especially in folklore and traditional stories. They can also be seen as symbols of loyalty, as they are known to mate for life.
Word Family of 鴉
Words Containing This Character10
乌鸦crow烏鴉
涂鸦graffiti塗鴉
鸦片opium (loanword)鴉片
鸦yācrow鴉
鸦片战争the Opium Wars of 1840-1842 and 1860-1861鴉片戰爭
鸦雀无声yāquèwúshēngabsolute silence鴉雀無聲
天下乌鸦一般黑all crows are black (idiom)天下烏鴉一般黑
渡鸦(bird species of China) common raven (Corvus corax)渡鴉
寒鸦(bird species of China) Eurasian jackdaw (Coloeus monedula)寒鴉
乌鸦座Corvus (constellation)烏鴉座
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 乌鸦 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 鴉
鴉 specifically refers to crows, while 鳥 is a general term for birds. Understanding this distinction helps in identifying the context in which each term is used.
It is pronounced as 'yā', with a high-level tone.
Yes, crows are often seen as symbols of bad luck, especially in traditional beliefs.
