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天鹅 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
天鹅tiān’éswanHSK 7, unknown, 16 strokes, rank #11648, Very Hard
tiān’é(tian1e2)tian e T1
  1. 1swan
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March 24, 2026

天鹅(天鵝)tiān’é(tian1e2)

天鹅 (tiān'é) refers to 'swan,' a large waterbird known for its graceful appearance and long neck. Commonly associated with beauty and elegance, swans are often found in lakes and rivers, making the term suitable for both literal and metaphorical contexts in literature and conversation.

Strokes16Frequency#11648DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, swans symbolize love and fidelity, often representing romantic relationships. This is reflected in poetry and art where swans are depicted as pairs, emphasizing their lifelong partnerships.

Memory tip

Think of '天' (tiān) meaning 'sky' and '鹅' (é) sounding like 'uh,' as if a swan in the sky is saying 'uh'. Picture a swan soaring gracefully above a lake, embodying elegance and beauty.

Meanings of 天鹅

tiān’é(tian1e2)
1swan
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About 天鹅

天鹅Simplified
天鵝Traditional
16Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 天鹅

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Podcast: 天鹅

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AI study notes for 天鹅

Quick Contrast

天鹅 (swan) vs 鹅 (goose) — use 天鹅 for the more elegant, larger waterbird, while 鹅 refers to a different, typically bulkier bird.

Usage Notes

Learners often confuse 天鹅 with similar bird names like 鸭 (yā, duck) and 鳄鱼 (èyú, crocodile). The term is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but is mostly used in descriptive or poetic language.

HSK Study Tips

Although 天鹅 is not an HSK word, it can be beneficial for HSK Level 3 learners focusing on animals and nature vocabulary. Students should practice using it in sentences that describe scenery or wildlife.

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes confuse 天鹅 with 鹅 (é, goose), which is a different bird. Remember that swans are typically larger and more elegant, so use '天鹅' when referring to swans specifically.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 天鹅

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Component characters

天tiānday
HSK 14 strokes大
View full entry
鹅égoose
HSK 712 strokes鸟
View full entry

How to say swan in Chinese

“swan” in Chinese is天鹅tiān’é

天鹅 (tiān'é) refers to 'swan,' a large waterbird known for its graceful appearance and long neck. Commonly associated with beauty and elegance, swans are often found in lakes and rivers, making the term suitable for both literal and metaphorical contexts in literature and conversation.

When to use 天鹅

Learners often confuse 天鹅 with similar bird names like 鸭 (yā, duck) and 鳄鱼 (èyú, crocodile). The term is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but is mostly used in descriptive or poetic language.

天鹅 or something close to it

天鹅 (swan) vs 鹅 (goose) — use 天鹅 for the more elegant, larger waterbird, while 鹅 refers to a different, typically bulkier bird.

What learners get wrong

Learners sometimes confuse 天鹅 with 鹅 (é, goose), which is a different bird. Remember that swans are typically larger and more elegant, so use '天鹅' when referring to swans specifically.

Write 天鹅

天
鹅

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Cultural Notes for 天鹅

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

While swans are similarly seen as symbols of beauty in Western cultures, they are also often associated with transformation and change due to fairy tales like 'The Ugly Duckling,' which is less emphasized in Chinese culture.

Frequently asked questions about 天鹅

天鹅 specifically refers to swans, known for their size and elegance, while 鸭 (duck) and 其他鸟 (other birds) denote different species.

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