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March 24, 2026
鵠gǔ(gu3)
The character 鵠 (gǔ) refers specifically to a swan, a bird known for its grace and beauty. In various contexts, it symbolizes elegance, purity, and fidelity. It is often used in poetry and literature to evoke imagery related to these themes.
Strokes18Radical鳥Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, swans are often associated with beauty and loyalty, frequently appearing in poetry and art as symbols of love and fidelity, particularly during the Qixi Festival, which celebrates romantic love.
Memory Tip
Imagine a graceful swan gliding across a calm lake. The character 鵠 resembles the silhouette of a swan with its long neck and body, and the 'gǔ' sound can remind you of the gentle 'g' sound of a swan's call.
Meanings of 鵠
gǔ(gu3)
1swan
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 鵠
鵠Simplified
18Strokes
鳥Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 鵠
Podcast: 鵠
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AI Study Notes for 鵠
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a graceful swan gliding across a calm lake. The character 鵠 resembles the silhouette of a swan with its long neck and body, and the 'gǔ' sound can remind you of the gentle 'g' sound of a swan's call.
Usage Notes
While 鵠 specifically denotes a swan, learners might confuse it with other bird-related characters. It's more formal and often found in literary texts rather than everyday conversation. Be careful with the tone; remember that the third tone 'gǔ' can change meaning if mispronounced.
HSK Study Tips
Although 鵠 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it can be linked to other words at higher levels related to nature or animals. Focus on recognizing the character's structure and its usage in literary contexts to enhance your vocabulary.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, swans are often associated with beauty and loyalty, frequently appearing in poetry and art as symbols of love and fidelity, particularly during the Qixi Festival, which celebrates romantic love.
Common Mistakes
Learners might confuse 鵠 with other bird-related characters like 鸟 (niǎo). A common mistake is using 鵠 in informal contexts or when referring to different types of birds. Always use 鵠 when specifically talking about swans.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 鵠
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Cultural Notes for 鵠
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, swans are often associated with beauty and loyalty, frequently appearing in poetry and art as symbols of love and fidelity, particularly during the Qixi Festival, which celebrates romantic love.
Word Family of 鵠
Words Containing This Character5
鹄gǔgoal鵠
鸿鹄swan鴻鵠
燕雀安知鸿鹄之志lit. can the sparrow and swallow know the will of the great swan? (idiom)燕雀安知鴻鵠之志
鹄的bull's-eye鵠的
白鹄(white) swan白鵠
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 鹄 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 鵠
While 鵠 specifically means 'swan', other characters like 鸟 (niǎo) mean 'bird' in general, making 鵠 more specific and poetic.
No, 鵠 is more commonly found in literary texts and is not frequently used in daily conversation.
You can think of the graceful sound of a swan's call, which starts with a soft 'g' sound, matching the pinyin 'gǔ'.
