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鴇 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
鴇bǎobustard; procuress; Otis species (various)x, 15 strokes, radical 鳥
bǎo(bao3)bao T3
  1. 1bustard; procuress; Otis species (various)
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March 24, 2026

鴇bǎo(bao3)

The character 鴇 (bǎo) refers to a type of bird known as a bustard, which is notable for its size and distinctive features. In a more figurative sense, it can also mean a procuress, a woman who facilitates or manages the business of sexual services. This dual meaning reflects the character's usage in both natural and social contexts.

Strokes15Radical鳥
Cultural note

In traditional Chinese literature, birds often symbolize freedom and beauty, and the bustard (鴇) is no exception. Additionally, the term for procuress reflects historical views on women's roles in society, which can be a sensitive topic in modern discussions.

Memory tip

Imagine a large bird (the bustard) soaring gracefully in the sky, while below, a woman named Bao is orchestrating a bustling marketplace. The character 鴇 looks like a bird in flight, and ‘bǎo’ sounds like 'bow,' as if you're bowing to this imposing bird. This connection may help you remember the meaning and pronunciation.

Meanings of 鴇

bǎo(bao3)
1bustard; procuress; Otis species (various)
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 鴇

鴇Simplified
15Strokes
鳥Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

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Podcast: 鴇

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AI study notes for 鴇

Usage Notes

Be careful with the context in which you use 鴇, as its meaning can shift dramatically based on the conversation. It's more likely to be encountered in literary or formal texts rather than daily conversation. Common mistakes include confusing it with similar-sounding characters like 保 (bǎo), which means 'to protect.'

HSK Study Tips

While 鴇 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, it can be connected to HSK Level 3 words related to animals and professions. Focus on recognizing it in context, especially within literature or specialized discussions about birds or social structures.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 鴇 with the character 保 (bǎo), which means 'to protect' or 'to guarantee.' To avoid this, remember that 鴇 relates to birds and social contexts, while 保 is more about safety.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 鴇

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Etymology of 鴇

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

bird

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

Origin

鴇 = 鳥 + 匕. What kind of character does that make it?

Decomposition of 鴇

IDS Structure⿰⿱匕十鳥
鴇Full character
=
匕bi3
top
十shi2
bottom
鳥niao3
Exercise 1 of 3

Parts

Which of these is part of 鴇?

How to say bustard; procuress; Otis species (various) in Chinese

“bustard; procuress; Otis species (various)” in Chinese is鴇bǎo

The character 鴇 (bǎo) refers to a type of bird known as a bustard, which is notable for its size and distinctive features. In a more figurative sense, it can also mean a procuress, a woman who facilitates or manages the business of sexual services. This dual meaning reflects the character's usage in both natural and social contexts.

When to use 鴇

Be careful with the context in which you use 鴇, as its meaning can shift dramatically based on the conversation. It's more likely to be encountered in literary or formal texts rather than daily conversation. Common mistakes include confusing it with similar-sounding characters like 保 (bǎo), which means 'to protect.'

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 鴇 with the character 保 (bǎo), which means 'to protect' or 'to guarantee.' To avoid this, remember that 鴇 relates to birds and social contexts, while 保 is more about safety.

Write 鴇

鴇

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

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Word Family of 鴇

Words containing this character4
老鸨female brothel keeper老鴇
鸨bǎoprocuress鴇
鸨母a bawd鴇母
大鸨(bird species of China) great bustard (Otis tarda)大鴇
Exercise 1 of 4

Words with 鴇

What does 老鸨 mean?

Frequently asked questions about 鴇

It's not commonly used in everyday conversation; you may encounter it more in literary or historical texts.

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