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March 24, 2026
鷗ōu(ou1)
The character 鷗 (ōu) refers to a seagull or tern, which are seabirds commonly found near coastal areas. It can be used in various contexts, such as discussing wildlife, nature, or in poetic descriptions of the sea. The character is less commonly used in everyday conversation, making it more likely to appear in literary or environmental discussions.
Strokes22Radical鳥Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, seagulls are often associated with freedom and the beauty of nature, frequently appearing in poetry and art that reflects on the sea. They can symbolize the connection between land and sea, especially in coastal regions.
Memory Tip
Imagine the shape of the character 鷗 resembling a bird in flight over the ocean. The '口' (kǒu) at the bottom represents an open mouth, as if the seagull is calling out. Remember that 'ōu' sounds like 'oh' – as in 'oh, look at that beautiful seagull!'
Meanings of 鷗
ōu(ou1)
1seagull, tern; Larus species (various)
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About 鷗
鷗Simplified
22Strokes
鳥Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 鷗
Podcast: 鷗
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AI Study Notes for 鷗
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine the shape of the character 鷗 resembling a bird in flight over the ocean. The '口' (kǒu) at the bottom represents an open mouth, as if the seagull is calling out. Remember that 'ōu' sounds like 'oh' – as in 'oh, look at that beautiful seagull!'
Usage Notes
This character is formal and often found in written texts rather than spoken language. Be careful not to confuse it with other bird-related characters, such as 鸟 (niǎo), which simply means 'bird.' It is commonly used in phrases related to ornithology or poetic descriptions.
HSK Study Tips
Although 鷗 is not included in the HSK levels, it connects to HSK vocabulary related to animals and nature, such as 鸟 (bird) and 海 (sea). Students should focus on recognizing the character's structure and its specific context in discussions about wildlife.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, seagulls are often associated with freedom and the beauty of nature, frequently appearing in poetry and art that reflects on the sea. They can symbolize the connection between land and sea, especially in coastal regions.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 鷗 with other bird characters like 鸟 (niǎo) or鸥 (ōu, a simplified form), which can lead to incorrect usage in context. Remember that 鷗 specifically refers to seagulls and should not be generalized to all birds.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 鷗
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Cultural Notes for 鷗
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, seagulls are often associated with freedom and the beauty of nature, frequently appearing in poetry and art that reflects on the sea. They can symbolize the connection between land and sea, especially in coastal regions.
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
In Western cultures, seagulls are often seen as nuisances at beaches and urban areas, whereas in Chinese literature, they are more widely appreciated as symbols of beauty and freedom.
Word Family of 鷗
Words Containing This Character3
海鸥(bird species of China) mew gull (Larus canus)海鷗
鸥ōucommon gull鷗
红嘴鸥(bird species of China) black-headed gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus)紅嘴鷗
Exercise 1 of 3
Compound Meaning
What does 海鸥 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 鷗
It is pronounced as 'ōu'.
No, 鷗 is more commonly found in literary contexts rather than in daily conversation.
It is typically used in poetic expressions or descriptions of nature rather than common phrases.
