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March 24, 2026
鵂xiū(xiu1)
The character 鵂 (xiū) refers to a specific type of owl, known as the horned owl or scops owl, which is native to parts of Asia. It is often associated with nocturnal behavior and is recognized for its distinctive ear-like tufts. This term is used mostly in literary or poetic contexts rather than in everyday conversation.
Strokes17Radical鳥
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, owls are often seen as symbols of wisdom, and specific species like 鵂 may appear in traditional stories or folklore, highlighting their mystical qualities. Additionally, owls are sometimes viewed with superstition, believed to bring omens.
Memory Tip
Imagine an owl (the character resembles a bird) that hoots at night, which sounds like 'xiū.' The bird's tufts on its head can remind you of the character's unique structure with the two 'horns' on top, symbolizing its name.
Meanings of 鵂
xiū(xiu1)
1horned owl, scops chinensis
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About 鵂
鵂Simplified
17Strokes
鳥Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 鵂
Podcast: 鵂
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AI Study Notes for 鵂
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine an owl (the character resembles a bird) that hoots at night, which sounds like 'xiū.' The bird's tufts on its head can remind you of the character's unique structure with the two 'horns' on top, symbolizing its name.
Usage Notes
The term 鵂 is quite rare in modern Mandarin and is usually used in literary texts or discussions about wildlife. Be careful not to confuse it with more common terms for owls, like 猫头鹰 (māo tóu yīng). It is also important to use the correct tone, as mispronouncing xiū can lead to misunderstandings.
HSK Study Tips
Although 鵂 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, understanding it can enhance your knowledge of wildlife-related terms. Focus on memorizing the character components and their meanings, as it can help with recognizing similar characters in the future.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, owls are often seen as symbols of wisdom, and specific species like 鵂 may appear in traditional stories or folklore, highlighting their mystical qualities. Additionally, owls are sometimes viewed with superstition, believed to bring omens.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 鵂 with 猫头鹰 (māo tóu yīng) and use it interchangeably, which is incorrect since they refer to different species. For instance, saying '我看到一只鵂' (wǒ kàn dào yī zhī xiū) when referring to a common owl can be misleading.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 鵂
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Cultural Notes for 鵂
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, owls are often seen as symbols of wisdom, and specific species like 鵂 may appear in traditional stories or folklore, highlighting their mystical qualities. Additionally, owls are sometimes viewed with superstition, believed to bring omens.
Word Family of 鵂
Words Containing This Character1
鸺xiūowl鵂
Exercise 1 of 1
Compound Meaning
What does 鸺 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 鵂
It is pronounced as 'xiū' with a high-level tone.
No, 鵂 is quite rare and is mostly found in literature or specialized discussions about birds.
Other owl terms like 猫头鹰 (māo tóu yīng) are more commonly used and refer to different types of owls.
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