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鶉 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
chúnquail; Turnix species (various)x, 19 strokes, radical 鳥, Very Hard
chún(chun2) T2
  1. 1quail; Turnix species (various)
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March 24, 2026

chún(chun2)

The character 鶉 (chún) refers to a type of quail, particularly species in the Turnix genus. These birds are often associated with their small size and distinctive calls, and the term can be used both in a biological context and in poetry to evoke certain imagery related to nature.

Strokes19RadicalFrequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese poetry, birds like the 鶉 are often symbols of beauty and tranquility, reflecting the appreciation of nature in traditional Chinese culture. The quail is also mentioned in classic texts as a symbol of fidelity and harmony.

Memory Tip

Imagine a tiny bird, the quail, chirping sweetly in a lush garden. The character 鶉 resembles a bird perched on a branch, with the radical 鳥 (bird) at the top, reminding you of its avian nature. The pronunciation 'chún' can be remembered by thinking of 'chun' as a soft, gentle sound like the quail's call.

Meanings of 鶉

chún(chun2)
1quail; Turnix species (various)
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 鶉

Simplified
19Strokes
Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 鶉

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AI Study Notes for 鶉

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a tiny bird, the quail, chirping sweetly in a lush garden. The character 鶉 resembles a bird perched on a branch, with the radical 鳥 (bird) at the top, reminding you of its avian nature. The pronunciation 'chún' can be remembered by thinking of 'chun' as a soft, gentle sound like the quail's call.

Usage Notes

When using 鶉 in conversation or writing, it is typically in a more formal or literary context, as everyday discussions rarely involve this specific bird. Be cautious with the pronunciation; learners often confuse it with similar-sounding words. Common collocations include '鶉的叫声' (the call of the quail).

HSK Study Tips

Although 鶉 is not included in the HSK vocabulary, it connects to themes of nature present in HSK Level 3 and above. Students should focus on its usage in descriptive language and poetry, enhancing their vocabulary around animals and nature.

Cultural Note

In Chinese poetry, birds like the 鶉 are often symbols of beauty and tranquility, reflecting the appreciation of nature in traditional Chinese culture. The quail is also mentioned in classic texts as a symbol of fidelity and harmony.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 鶉 with similar bird characters, leading to incorrect usage. For example, using 鳥 instead of 鶉 when referring specifically to quails is a common mistake; remember to use 鶉 for the quail species.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 鶉

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Etymology of 鶉

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Explanation

Phonosemantic compound. 鸟 represents the meaning and 享 represents the sound. Simplified form of 鶉.

Memory Hint

bird

Semantic (meaning)
+
Phonetic (sound)
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 鶉?

Decomposition of 鶉

IDS Structure⿰享鳥
Full Character
=
xiang3
left
niao3
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 鶉?

Write 鶉

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

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Cultural Notes for 鶉

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese poetry, birds like the 鶉 are often symbols of beauty and tranquility, reflecting the appreciation of nature in traditional Chinese culture. The quail is also mentioned in classic texts as a symbol of fidelity and harmony.

Word Family of 鶉

Words Containing This Character2
鹌鹑quail鵪鶉
chúnquail
Exercise 1 of 2

Compound Meaning

What does 鹌鹑 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 鶉

While 鳥 (niǎo) is a general term for birds, 鶉 specifically refers to the quail, a particular species. It highlights the importance of specificity in Chinese vocabulary.