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March 24, 2026
雀qiāo(qiao1)
The character 雀 (qiāo) primarily means 'small bird,' specifically referring to sparrows. It can also denote a freckle or lentigo in a more specialized context. This character is often used in literary or poetic expressions, conveying a sense of lightness or smallness associated with birds.
Strokes11Radical隹Frequency#15140DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, sparrows (雀) are often seen as symbols of joy and vitality. They appear in traditional poetry and art, representing a carefree spirit and the beauty of nature, especially during springtime.
Memory Tip
Imagine a small bird (雀) chirping away in a garden, its tiny body marked with little spots like freckles. The character 雀 looks like a bird perched on a branch, with the top part resembling wings. Picture this bird singing joyfully to remember that 'qiāo' sounds like a gentle 'chirp.'
Meanings of 雀
qiāo(qiao1)
primary
1a freckle
2small bird
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
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About 雀
雀Simplified
11Strokes
隹Radical
名语素míngcínoun root (n.root)Part of Speech
#15140Frequency Rank
Podcast: 雀
Podcast: 雀
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AI Study Notes for 雀
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a small bird (雀) chirping away in a garden, its tiny body marked with little spots like freckles. The character 雀 looks like a bird perched on a branch, with the top part resembling wings. Picture this bird singing joyfully to remember that 'qiāo' sounds like a gentle 'chirp.'
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 雀 with other bird-related characters, so it's important to remember its specific reference to small birds like sparrows. In informal contexts, you might hear it used in idiomatic expressions related to nature. Be mindful of the tones; a mispronunciation can change the meaning entirely.
HSK Study Tips
Although 雀 is not included in the official HSK levels, it connects with other HSK vocabulary related to animals and nature. Students should practice differentiating this character from similar ones, such as 鸟 (bird), to enhance their understanding of avian vocabulary.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, sparrows (雀) are often seen as symbols of joy and vitality. They appear in traditional poetry and art, representing a carefree spirit and the beauty of nature, especially during springtime.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mispronounce 雀 as 'qiao3' instead of the correct 'qiāo' for bird-related meanings. Additionally, some may confuse it with similar characters that denote other types of birds, such as 鸟 (niǎo).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 雀
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Grammar Patterns of 雀
雀 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 6 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
他减税的承诺让亢奋的人群欢呼____跃起来。
His tax-cutting pledge brought a delirious crowd to their feet.
Example Sentences for 雀 (10)
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1
他减税的承诺让亢奋的人群欢呼雀跃起来。
tā jiǎn shuì de chéng nuò ràng kàng fèn de rén qún huān hū què yuè qǐ lái。
His tax-cutting pledge brought a delirious crowd to their feet.
2
燕雀大约在12个星期大小的时候开始换羽毛。
yàn què dà yuē zài12 12 gè xīng qī dà xiǎo de shí hòu kāi shǐ huàn yǔ。
Finches start to moult at around twelve weeks of age.
3
他认为把云雀关在笼子里太残忍了.
tā rèn wéi bǎ yún què guān zài lóng zǐ lǐ tài cán rěn le.
He thinks it cruel to confine a lark in a cage.
4
12只附近的麻雀也回应着叽叽喳喳叫起来.
12 12 zhī fù jìn de má què yě huí yīng zháo jī jī zhā zhā jiào qǐ.
A dozen nearby sparrows chirruped back.
5
麻雀在外边叽叽喳喳地叫.
má què zài wài biān jī jī zhā zhā dì jiào.
Sparrows are twittering outside.
6
麻雀在花园里叽叽喳喳地叫.
má què zài huā yuán lǐ jī jī zhā zhā dì jiào.
The sparrows were chattering in the garden.
7
红雀吱喳鸣叫着她春天的歌.
hóng què zhī zhā míng jiào zháo tā chūn tiān de gē.
The linnet chirps her vernal song.
8
现在天就要晴了, 一只麻雀已开始喳喳地叫.
xiàn zài tiān jiù yào qíng le, , yī zhī má què yǐ kāi shǐ zhā zhā dì.
Now it is clearing up, and a sparrow is beginning to chirp.
9
他很懒. 他有一头乌黑的卷发, 脸上有雀斑.
tā hěn lǎn. . tā yǒu yī tóu wū hēi de juàn, fā , liǎn shàng yǒu.
He is lazy. His hair is black and curly. He has freckles.
10
那麻雀一蹦一跳地穿过草坪.
nà má què yī bèng yī tiào dì chuān guò cǎo píng.
The sparrow crossed the lawn in a series of hops.
Cultural Notes for 雀
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, sparrows (雀) are often seen as symbols of joy and vitality. They appear in traditional poetry and art, representing a carefree spirit and the beauty of nature, especially during springtime.
Word Family of 雀
Compounds3
蠽
巀
熦
Words Containing This Character20
雀qiāosparrow
孔雀peacock
麻雀sparrow
雀斑freckles
雀跃excited雀躍
金丝雀canary金絲雀
云雀(bird species of China) Eurasian skylark (Alauda arvensis)雲雀
朱雀Vermilion Bird (the seven mansions of the south sky)
鸦雀无声yāquèwúshēngabsolute silence鴉雀無聲
欢呼雀跃jubilant歡呼雀躍
门可罗雀you can net sparrows at the door (idiom); completely deserted門可羅雀
黄雀(bird species of China) Eurasian siskin (Spinus spinus)黃雀
山雀tit
金翅雀(bird species of China) grey-capped greenfinch (Chloris sinica)
雀巢Nestlé
鸟雀bird鳥雀
孔雀河Peacock River in Xinjiang
燕雀(fig.) small fry
解剖麻雀lit. to dissect a sparrow; fig. a preliminary test on a small sample
雀鹰(bird species of China) Eurasian sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus)雀鷹
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 雀 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 雀
This character can be pronounced as 'qiāo' and 'qiǎo', with the former being the common usage for 'small bird'.
You can use it in a sentence like: '我看到一只雀在树上唱歌' (I saw a sparrow singing in the tree).
Yes, it can be found in idioms related to birds or nature, enhancing the poetic imagery.
