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March 24, 2026
鸽(鴿)gē(ge1)
The character 鸽 (gē) refers to a pigeon or dove, commonly associated with peace and love in various cultures. In Chinese, it can denote different species of the Columba family, which includes both domestic and wild varieties. This character is often used in contexts related to nature, symbolism in art, and traditional ceremonies.
Strokes11Radical鸟Frequency#17580DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, doves are often symbols of peace and are released during weddings and festivals to signify harmony and good fortune. The character 鸽 appears in idioms and art that celebrate these themes.
Memory Tip
Imagine a pigeon (鸽) wearing a golden crown (the character's top component resembles a crown), which symbolizes peace and nobility. The sound 'gē' can be remembered by connecting it to the 'g' in 'gorgeous' as you visualize a beautiful dove flying gracefully in the sky.
Meanings of 鸽
gē(ge1)
1pigeon
2dove
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 鸽
鸽Simplified
鴿Traditional
11Strokes
鸟Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#17580Frequency Rank
Podcast: 鸽
Podcast: 鸽
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AI Study Notes for 鸽
Quick Contrast
鸥 (ōu, gull) — choose 鸽 when referring to doves or pigeons specifically, while 鸥 refers to a different type of bird commonly found near water.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a pigeon (鸽) wearing a golden crown (the character's top component resembles a crown), which symbolizes peace and nobility. The sound 'gē' can be remembered by connecting it to the 'g' in 'gorgeous' as you visualize a beautiful dove flying gracefully in the sky.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 鸽 (gē) with 鸟 (niǎo), which means 'bird' in general. The usage of 鸽 is more specific, so it’s important to use it when referring specifically to doves or pigeons. In formal writing, it may appear in literature or poetry, while in casual speech, it may be used to describe pets.
HSK Study Tips
Although 鸽 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, it is beneficial for learners at HSK 3 and above to know it, given its cultural significance. Students should focus on its pronunciation and the context in which it appears, especially in idiomatic expressions related to peace.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, doves are often symbols of peace and are released during weddings and festivals to signify harmony and good fortune. The character 鸽 appears in idioms and art that celebrate these themes.
Common Mistakes
Learners may mistakenly use 鸟 (niǎo) instead of 鸽 (gē) when referring to doves or pigeons, as in saying '我看到一只鸟' (I saw a bird) when they actually mean 'I saw a pigeon.' The correct usage would be '我看到一只鸽子' (I saw a pigeon).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 鸽
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Grammar Patterns of 鸽
鸽 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 3 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.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
一只____子从塔里钻出来，扑扑地拍打着翅膀。
A pigeon emerges, wings flapping noisily, from the tower.
Example Sentences for 鸽 (7)
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1
一只鸽子从塔里钻出来，扑扑地拍打着翅膀。
yī zhī gē zǐ cóng tǎ lǐ zuān chū lái， ， pū pū dì pāi dǎ zháo chì。
A pigeon emerges, wings flapping noisily, from the tower.
2
鸽子们低声咕咕地叫着，扑扇着翅膀飞进飞出。
gē zǐ mén dī shēng gū gū dì jiào zháo， ， pū shàn zháo chì bǎng fēi jìn fēi。
In my family, I am flamingo in the flock of pigeons.
Cultural Notes for 鸽
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, doves are often symbols of peace and are released during weddings and festivals to signify harmony and good fortune. The character 鸽 appears in idioms and art that celebrate these themes.
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
In Western cultures, doves are also symbols of peace, but they may not be as prominently featured in traditional ceremonies as in Chinese culture.
Word Family of 鸽
Words Containing This Character10
鸽子gēzipigeon鴿子
鸽gēpigeon鴿
信鸽homing pigeon信鴿
放鸽子to stand someone up放鴿子
飞鸽Flying Pigeon (famous bicycle brand, made in Tianjin since 1936)飛鴿
和平鸽dove of peace和平鴿
鹁鸽pigeon鵓鴿
岩鸽(bird species of China) hill pigeon (Columba rupestris)岩鴿
原鸽(bird species of China) rock dove (Columba livia)原鴿
传书鸽carrier pigeon (used for mail)傳書鴿
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 鸽子 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 鸽
鸽 specifically refers to pigeons and doves, while 鸟 is a broader term that means 'bird'.
It is pronounced as 'gē', with a high, level tone.
Yes, but it is more common in literature or discussions about nature than in everyday speech.
