Meanings of 雞
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About 雞
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Podcast: 雞
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AI Study Notes for 雞
鸡 (jī) vs 鸭 (yā) — choose 鸡 when referring specifically to chicken, not duck.
Imagine a chicken (雞) standing proudly, with its feathers ruffled like a jiggly jelly. The shape of the character can be visualized as a chicken's body with its distinct head and tail. The pronunciation 'jī' sounds like a playful cluck, helping you remember the meaning.
Be cautious not to confuse 雞 (jī) with 机 (jī), which means 'machine.' In informal contexts, you might hear 雞 used in phrases referring to someone being silly or foolish. Also, remember that in formal settings, it’s better to use the full term for 'chicken' rather than slang.
Although 雞 is not included in the HSK levels, it is a useful vocabulary word for beginners. Students should practice its use in sentences related to food and dining, as well as familiarize themselves with related food terms like 魚 (yú, fish) and 肉 (ròu, meat).
In Chinese culture, chicken is often associated with auspiciousness and is commonly served during festivals and family gatherings, symbolizing prosperity and good luck.
Learners often confuse 雞 (jī) with other similar-sounding words like 机 (jī), which means 'machine.' A common mistake is using 雞 in formal contexts when referring to poultry; it's better to use the term in a culinary discussion.
Pronunciation of 雞
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Etymology of 雞
Simplified form of 雞. Originally was a pictograph of a chicken. Later changed to a phonosemantic compound of 奚 and 隹 (bird). The traditional 隹 (bird) component was replaced with 鸟, a different character for "bird".
Another 奚 kind of bird 隹
Character Formation Type
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Decomposition of 雞
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Write 雞
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Practice writing 雞 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Cultural Notes for 雞
In Chinese culture, chicken is often associated with auspiciousness and is commonly served during festivals and family gatherings, symbolizing prosperity and good luck.
Word Family of 雞
Compound Meaning
What does 鸡 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 雞
You would say 烤雞 (kǎo jī).
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