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March 24, 2026
鵜tí(ti2)
The character 鵜 (tí) refers specifically to a type of bird known as a pelican. In Chinese, it captures the essence of this waterbird, often associated with fishing and coastal environments. It is not commonly used in everyday conversation but may appear in literature or discussions about wildlife.
Strokes18Radical鳥Frequency#92085DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, birds like the pelican are often depicted in art and poetry, symbolizing grace and the beauty of nature. They can also be associated with fishing traditions in coastal communities.
Memory Tip
Imagine a pelican with its long beak (the radical 鳥 indicates it's a bird) soaring over the sea. The sound 'tí' can remind you of the word 'tee', as in a tee for golf, which can be visualized as a pelican standing by the water, ready to catch fish.
Meanings of 鵜
tí(ti2)
1pelican
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 鵜
鵜Simplified
18Strokes
鳥Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 鵜
Podcast: 鵜
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AI Study Notes for 鵜
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a pelican with its long beak (the radical 鳥 indicates it's a bird) soaring over the sea. The sound 'tí' can remind you of the word 'tee', as in a tee for golf, which can be visualized as a pelican standing by the water, ready to catch fish.
Usage Notes
Since 鵜 is a less common character, it might not be recognized by all speakers, particularly in informal settings. Be cautious about using it in conversation without context, as it may confuse listeners. It's often paired with words related to birds or nature.
HSK Study Tips
Although 鵜 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, understanding it can enhance your knowledge of animal names in Chinese. Students at higher levels should focus on characters related to nature and wildlife, as they often contain radicals that indicate their meanings.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, birds like the pelican are often depicted in art and poetry, symbolizing grace and the beauty of nature. They can also be associated with fishing traditions in coastal communities.
Common Mistakes
Learners might confuse 鵜 with similar bird characters, such as 鸟 (niǎo), which is a general term for 'bird'. Remember that 鵜 specifically refers to a pelican.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 鵜
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Cultural Notes for 鵜
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, birds like the pelican are often depicted in art and poetry, symbolizing grace and the beauty of nature. They can also be associated with fishing traditions in coastal communities.
Word Family of 鵜
Words Containing This Character2
鹈鹕pelican鵜鶘
鹈típelican鵜
Exercise 1 of 2
Compound Meaning
What does 鹈鹕 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 鵜
It means 'pelican', a type of large waterbird known for its distinctive long beak.
No, it's a more specialized term that may not be familiar to many speakers.
You can think of 'tí' sounding like 'tee', which you can link to a pelican standing by the water.
