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鹬 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
鹬yùsnipe, kingfisheri, 17 strokes, radical 鸟, rank #39769, Very Hard
鹬yùcommon snipeunknown, 17 strokes, radical 鸟, rank #39769, Very Hard
鹬yùsandpiperunknown, 17 strokes, radical 鸟, rank #39769, Very Hard
yù(yu4)yu T4
  1. 1snipe, kingfisher
  2. 2common snipe
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March 24, 2026

鹬(鷸)yù(yu4)

The character 鹬 (yù) refers primarily to a type of shorebird, specifically the snipe or sandpiper. These birds are often found in wetlands and are known for their long bills and unique feeding habits. In a broader context, this character can symbolize agility and cleverness in navigating challenging environments.

Strokes17Radical鸟Frequency#39769DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, birds like the snipe are often associated with the beauty of nature and the skill of hunters. The snipe, in particular, is mentioned in classical poetry, symbolizing grace and survival.

Memory Tip

Imagine a snipe (鹬) standing on the shore, using its long beak to probe the mud for food. The character's left component (鳥) represents 'bird,' reminding you that this is a type of bird, while the right side can evoke the image of a 'yu' (鳦) or kingfisher, tying in the pronunciation and concept of agile birds.

Meanings of 鹬

yù(yu4)
1snipe, kingfisher
2common snipe
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

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About 鹬

鹬Simplified
鷸Traditional
17Strokes
鸟Radical
成语chéngyǔidiom (id.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

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Podcast: 鹬

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AI Study Notes for 鹬

Usage Notes

Learners often confuse 鹬 with similar bird-related characters; ensure you focus on the context of shorebirds when using this term. It is generally used in formal contexts, such as literature or ornithology discussions. Be cautious with the pronunciation, as misplacing the tones can lead to confusion with other bird names.

HSK Study Tips

Although 鹬 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, it fits within the context of wildlife and nature terms that may appear in advanced reading materials. Focus on the radicals (鳥 for bird) to help remember its meaning and to connect it with other bird-related vocabulary.

Common Mistakes

A common mistake is confusing 鹬 with other bird names like 鸟 (niǎo), which is a general term for bird. For instance, saying '我看到一只鸟叫鹬' (Wǒ kàn dào yī zhī niǎo jiào yù) incorrectly uses 鸟 instead of specifically referencing the snipe by using 鹬 directly.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 鹬

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Etymology of 鹬

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

bird

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

Origin

鹬 = 鸟 + 矞. What kind of character does that make it?

Decomposition of 鹬

IDS Structure⿰矞鸟
鹬Full Character
=
矞yu4
left
鸟diao3
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 鹬?

How to say snipe, kingfisher in Chinese

“snipe, kingfisher” in Chinese is鹬yù

The character 鹬 (yù) refers primarily to a type of shorebird, specifically the snipe or sandpiper. These birds are often found in wetlands and are known for their long bills and unique feeding habits. In a broader context, this character can symbolize agility and cleverness in navigating challenging environments.

When to use 鹬

Learners often confuse 鹬 with similar bird-related characters; ensure you focus on the context of shorebirds when using this term. It is generally used in formal contexts, such as literature or ornithology discussions. Be cautious with the pronunciation, as misplacing the tones can lead to confusion with other bird names.

What learners get wrong

A common mistake is confusing 鹬 with other bird names like 鸟 (niǎo), which is a general term for bird. For instance, saying '我看到一只鸟叫鹬' (Wǒ kàn dào yī zhī niǎo jiào yù) incorrectly uses 鸟 instead of specifically referencing the snipe by using 鹬 directly.

Write 鹬

鹬

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

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Word Family of 鹬

Words Containing This Character2
鹬yùsandpiper鷸
鹬蚌相争lit. sandpiper and clam war together (and the fisherman catches both) (idiom); fig. neighbors who can't agree lose out to a third party鷸蚌相爭
Exercise 1 of 1

Words with 鹬

What does 鹬蚌相争 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 鹬

It means snipe or sandpiper, referring to a type of shorebird.

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