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鹫 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
jiùcondor, vulturens, 17 strokes, radical 鸟, rank #46771, Very Hard
jiù(jiu4) T4
  1. 1condor, vulture
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
(鷲)jiù(jiu4)

The character 鹫 (jiù) refers to a large bird of prey, specifically a condor or vulture. It is often used in literary contexts to symbolize scavenging or death due to the bird's feeding habits, and can also imply a sense of foreboding or danger in Chinese culture.

Strokes17RadicalFrequency#46771DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese culture, the vulture symbolizes a connection to the afterlife and is often depicted in art and literature as a harbinger of death, reflecting the belief in the cycle of life and death.

Memory Tip

Imagine a giant vulture soaring high in the sky, its wings spread wide like the character 鹫. The top part resembles the wings, while the bottom part suggests a sharp beak ready to scavenge. Picture the vulture's call as a reminder of its name, 'jiù,' echoing in the mountains.

Meanings of 鹫

jiù(jiu4)
1condor, vulture
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 鹫

Simplified
Traditional
17Strokes
Radical
地名míngcíplace name (p.n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 鹫

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AI Study Notes for 鹫

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a giant vulture soaring high in the sky, its wings spread wide like the character 鹫. The top part resembles the wings, while the bottom part suggests a sharp beak ready to scavenge. Picture the vulture's call as a reminder of its name, 'jiù,' echoing in the mountains.

Usage Notes

This word is typically used in formal or literary contexts rather than in everyday conversation. Learners should be cautious not to confuse it with other birds like 鳥 (niǎo, bird) or 隼 (sǔn, falcon), which have different meanings. Also, the tone 'jiù' (4th tone) is crucial; mispronouncing it can change its meaning.

HSK Study Tips

Though 鹫 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, it connects to themes of wildlife and nature commonly explored in HSK Level 4 and above. Focus on recognizing the character in reading passages related to animals or nature, enhancing your vocabulary and comprehension skills.

Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese culture, the vulture symbolizes a connection to the afterlife and is often depicted in art and literature as a harbinger of death, reflecting the belief in the cycle of life and death.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 鹫 with other bird characters such as 鳥 (niǎo) due to the similar appearance. Ensure you remember that 鹫 specifically refers to vultures and condors, while 鳥 is a more general term for birds.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 鹫

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Etymology of 鹫

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

Phonosemantic compound. 鸟 represents the meaning and 就 represents the sound. Simplified form of 鷲.

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 鹫?

Decomposition of 鹫

IDS Structure⿱就鸟
Full Character
=
jiu4
top
diao3
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 鹫?

Write 鹫

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar Patterns of 鹫

鹫 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). The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Exercise 1 of 1

Complete the Sentence

一群秃____蹲伏在一具野牛的尸体上。

A cluster of vultures crouched on the carcass of a dead buffalo.

Example Sentences for 鹫 (1)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
一群秃鹫蹲伏在一具野牛的尸体上。

yī qún tū jiù dūn fú zài yī jù yě niú de shī tǐ shàng。

A cluster of vultures crouched on the carcass of a dead buffalo.

Cultural Notes for 鹫

🏮Cultural insight

In traditional Chinese culture, the vulture symbolizes a connection to the afterlife and is often depicted in art and literature as a harbinger of death, reflecting the belief in the cycle of life and death.

Word Family of 鹫

Words Containing This Character3
jiùvulture
秃鹫vulture禿鷲
兀鹫vulture兀鷲
Exercise 1 of 3

Compound Meaning

What does 鹫 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 鹫

No, 鹫 is more often found in literary texts or discussions about wildlife rather than in everyday speech.