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鹑 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
chúnquail; Turnix species (various)x, 13 strokes, radical 鸟, Very Hard
chún(chun2) T2
  1. 1quail; Turnix species (various)
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March 24, 2026
(鶉)chún(chun2)

The character 鹑 (chún) refers specifically to the quail, a small bird commonly found in various regions. In Chinese cuisine, quail is appreciated for its delicate flavor and is often featured in traditional dishes. While not as commonly discussed as other birds, it plays a role in both gastronomy and cultural symbolism in some contexts.

Strokes13RadicalFrequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In some regions of China, quail is considered a delicacy and is also popular in traditional medicine for its nutritional benefits. The character 鹑 may appear in poetry or literature that reflects themes of nature and life.

Memory Tip

Imagine a tiny bird (the quail) perched on a branch, its feathers resembling the shape of the character 鹑. The top part resembles its head, while the bottom part suggests its body. Remember 'chún' by picturing a chef cooking quails, making a 'chun' sound as they chop herbs for flavor.

Meanings of 鹑

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

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 鹑

Simplified
Traditional
13Strokes
Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 鹑

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AI Study Notes for 鹑

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a tiny bird (the quail) perched on a branch, its feathers resembling the shape of the character 鹑. The top part resembles its head, while the bottom part suggests its body. Remember 'chún' by picturing a chef cooking quails, making a 'chun' sound as they chop herbs for flavor.

Usage Notes

When using 鹑, be aware that it is more common in written contexts, such as literature or menus, rather than in casual conversation. A common mistake is to confuse it with 鸡 (jī, chicken) due to similar culinary references. Be cautious of pronunciation; ensure you emphasize the 'ch' sound in 'chún.'

HSK Study Tips

Although 鹑 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, understanding it can enhance your knowledge of food-related terms, especially in HSK 3 and 4 where food items are common. Try to connect it with other bird-related terms you learn to build a broader vocabulary set.

Cultural Note

In some regions of China, quail is considered a delicacy and is also popular in traditional medicine for its nutritional benefits. The character 鹑 may appear in poetry or literature that reflects themes of nature and life.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 鹑 with other birds like 鸡 (jī, chicken) or 鸭 (yā, duck). Remember that while 鸡 refers to chicken, 鹑 specifically denotes quail, which is a different bird entirely.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 鹑

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Etymology of 鹑

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 鹑?

Decomposition of 鹑

IDS Structure⿰享鸟
Full Character
=
xiang3
left
diao3
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 鹑?

Write 鹑

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

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Grammar Patterns of 鹑

鹑 carries one core meaning. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.

Exercise 1 of 3

Complete the Sentence

我用那只枪打死过几百只鹌____。

I've shot hundreds of quail with that gun.

Example Sentences for 鹑 (2)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
我用那只枪打死过几百只鹌鹑。

wǒ yòng nà zhī qiāng dǎ sǐ guò jī bǎi zhī ān chún。

I've shot hundreds of quail with that gun.
2
鹌鹑在矮树丛里沙沙作响.

ān chún zài ǎi shù cóng lǐ shā shā zuò xiǎng.

Speckled quails rustled in the underbrush.

Cultural Notes for 鹑

🏮Cultural insight

In some regions of China, quail is considered a delicacy and is also popular in traditional medicine for its nutritional benefits. The character 鹑 may appear in poetry or literature that reflects themes of nature and life.

Word Family of 鹑

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 鹑

It is pronounced as 'chún', with a rising tone.