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鷀 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
the fishing cormorantx, 20 strokes, radical 鳥, Very Hard
(ci2) T2
  1. 1the fishing cormorant
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March 24, 2026
(ci2)

The character 鷀 (cí) refers to the fishing cormorant, a bird commonly used in traditional fishing practices in China. This bird is trained to dive and catch fish, showcasing a unique interaction between humans and nature, particularly in regions with water bodies.

Strokes20RadicalFrequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

Cormorant fishing is a traditional practice in China, particularly in the southern regions, where fishermen use trained cormorants to catch fish. This method has been recognized as a cultural heritage, highlighting the harmonious relationship between humans and wildlife.

Memory Tip

Imagine a cormorant sitting on a rock, its dark feathers glistening as it prepares to dive into the water. The character 鷀 has a bird radical (鳥) on the top, representing its avian nature, and the bottom part suggests movement, linking to its fishing behavior.

Meanings of 鷀

(ci2)
1the fishing cormorant
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 鷀

Simplified
20Strokes
Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 鷀

JasonAmy

Podcast:

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AI Study Notes for 鷀

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a cormorant sitting on a rock, its dark feathers glistening as it prepares to dive into the water. The character 鷀 has a bird radical (鳥) on the top, representing its avian nature, and the bottom part suggests movement, linking to its fishing behavior.

Usage Notes

This word is rarely used in everyday conversation and may appear in discussions about traditional fishing techniques or wildlife. Be cautious not to confuse it with similar-sounding words that refer to other birds or animals. It's more commonly found in formal literature rather than casual speech.

HSK Study Tips

Since 鷀 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, learners should focus on its context within traditional Chinese practices. Relating it to words about nature and animals at higher HSK levels can enrich vocabulary understanding.

Cultural Note

Cormorant fishing is a traditional practice in China, particularly in the southern regions, where fishermen use trained cormorants to catch fish. This method has been recognized as a cultural heritage, highlighting the harmonious relationship between humans and wildlife.

Common Mistakes

Learners may confuse 鷀 with other bird characters due to similar pronunciations or appearances. For example, mistaking it for 鸦 (yā), which means 'crow.' Always check the context to ensure the correct bird is referenced.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 鷀

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Etymology of 鷀

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

bird

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

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 鷀?

Decomposition of 鷀

IDS Structure⿰兹鳥
Full Character
=
zi1
left
niao3
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 鷀?

Write 鷀

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

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Cultural Notes for 鷀

🏮Cultural insight

Cormorant fishing is a traditional practice in China, particularly in the southern regions, where fishermen use trained cormorants to catch fish. This method has been recognized as a cultural heritage, highlighting the harmonious relationship between humans and wildlife.

Word Family of 鷀

Words Containing This Character2
鸬鹚cormorant鸕鶿
cormorant鶿
Exercise 1 of 2

Compound Meaning

What does 鸬鹚 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 鷀

It means 'the fishing cormorant,' a bird traditionally used for fishing.