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March 24, 2026
鴨yā(ya1)
The character 鴨 (yā) refers to a duck, specifically various species within the Anas genus. It is commonly used in contexts related to food, especially in dishes like Peking duck, and in discussions about wildlife or agriculture.
Strokes16Radical鳥Frequency#60245DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese cuisine, duck is a popular dish, particularly in Peking duck, which is a traditional dish famous for its crispy skin and flavorful meat. This dish is often served during special occasions and celebrations.
Memory Tip
Imagine a duck (鴨) quacking in a yard (the 'y' sound in yā). The character has a 'bird' radical (鳥) at the bottom, indicating it relates to avian species, making it easier to remember that it refers to a type of bird.
Meanings of 鴨
yā(ya1)
1duck; Anas species (various)
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 鴨
鴨Simplified
16Strokes
鳥Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 鴨
Podcast: 鴨
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AI Study Notes for 鴨
Quick Contrast
鸭 (yā) refers specifically to domesticated ducks, while 鴨 (yā) can refer to both wild and domesticated ducks, making it more general.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a duck (鴨) quacking in a yard (the 'y' sound in yā). The character has a 'bird' radical (鳥) at the bottom, indicating it relates to avian species, making it easier to remember that it refers to a type of bird.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 鴨 with similar characters like 鴿 (gē, pigeon) or 鳥 (niǎo, bird) which might appear in similar contexts. 鴨 is generally used in both formal and informal settings, but is especially common in culinary discussions.
HSK Study Tips
While 鴨 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, it is beneficial for learners at the HSK 3-4 level who are expanding their vocabulary related to food and animals. Students should focus on pronunciation and usage in context.
Cultural Note
In Chinese cuisine, duck is a popular dish, particularly in Peking duck, which is a traditional dish famous for its crispy skin and flavorful meat. This dish is often served during special occasions and celebrations.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 鴨 with 鳥 (niǎo), which means 'bird' in general. Remember that 鴨 specifically refers to ducks, so use it when talking about that particular type of bird.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 鴨
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Cultural Notes for 鴨
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese cuisine, duck is a popular dish, particularly in Peking duck, which is a traditional dish famous for its crispy skin and flavorful meat. This dish is often served during special occasions and celebrations.
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
In Western cultures, ducks are often seen as common wildlife, while in Chinese culture, they hold a significant place in culinary traditions, especially in festive meals.
Word Family of 鴨
Words Containing This Character20
鸭yāduck鴨
鸭子yāziduck鴨子
鸭梨Chinese white pear (Pyrus × bretschneideri)鴨梨
烤鸭kǎoyāroast duck烤鴨
野鸭wild duck野鴨
唐老鸭Donald Duck唐老鴨
鸭绿江Yalu River, forming part of the China-Korea border鴨綠江
鸭舌帽peaked cap鴨舌帽
板鸭pressed (dried) salted duck板鴨
鸭嘴兽platypus鴨嘴獸
北京烤鸭Peking Duck北京烤鴨
旱鸭子non-swimmer旱鴨子
填鸭式force feeding (as a teaching method)填鴨式
双鸭山Shuangyashan prefecture level city in Heilongjiang province 黑龍江|黑龙江[Hēilóngjiāng] in northeast China雙鴨山
鸭掌duck feet (claws)鴨掌
赶鸭子上架lit. to drive a duck onto a perch (idiom)趕鴨子上架
双鸭山市Shuangyashan prefecture level city in Heilongjiang province 黑龍江|黑龙江[Hēilóngjiāng] in northeast China雙鴨山市
填鸭to force-feed ducks填鴨
家鸭domestic duck家鴨
吃鸭蛋(fig.) to score 0 (on a test, in competition etc)吃鴨蛋
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 鸭 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 鴨
It is pronounced as 'yā'.
Yes, there are various terms for different types of ducks, but 鴨 generally refers to ducks in a broad sense.
Yes, it can appear in idioms related to food or nature.
