Meanings of 鳥
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Podcast: 鳥
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AI study notes for 鳥
雀 (què) - use 鳥 (niǎo) for general references to birds, while 雀 (què) specifically refers to smaller birds, like sparrows.
Be careful not to confuse 鳥 (niǎo) with similar characters like 魚 (yú, fish) or 嬉 (xī, play), as these can lead to misunderstandings. This word is generally informal, but can also be used in literary contexts. Common collocations include 鳥類 (niǎolèi, bird species) and 鳥巢 (niǎocháo, bird's nest).
Though 鳥 (niǎo) is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, it connects well with other animal-related words. Learners should focus on the phonetic component and practice using it in simple sentences about animals to build vocabulary.
Learners often mispronounce 鳥 as 'niao' instead of the correct 'niǎo' with the third tone. Another common mistake is using it in situations where a specific bird name is required, such as saying '我看到一隻鳥' (I saw a bird) instead of specifying the type.
Pronunciation of 鳥
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Etymology of 鳥
Simplified form of 鳥. Pictograph of a bird.
A bird
Origin
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Decomposition of 鳥
Parts
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How to say bird in Chinese
“bird” in Chinese is鳥
The character 鳥 (niǎo) means 'bird' in Mandarin. It refers to any avian creature and is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts. This character is also often used in idiomatic expressions and proverbs related to freedom or nature.
When to use 鳥
Be careful not to confuse 鳥 (niǎo) with similar characters like 魚 (yú, fish) or 嬉 (xī, play), as these can lead to misunderstandings. This word is generally informal, but can also be used in literary contexts. Common collocations include 鳥類 (niǎolèi, bird species) and 鳥巢 (niǎocháo, bird's nest).
鳥 or something close to it
雀 (què) - use 鳥 (niǎo) for general references to birds, while 雀 (què) specifically refers to smaller birds, like sparrows.
What learners get wrong
Learners often mispronounce 鳥 as 'niao' instead of the correct 'niǎo' with the third tone. Another common mistake is using it in situations where a specific bird name is required, such as saying '我看到一隻鳥' (I saw a bird) instead of specifying the type.
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Word Family of 鳥
Characters with 鳥
What does 鸟 mean?
Frequently asked questions about 鳥
It is pronounced as 'niǎo'.
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