unknown, 9 strokes, radical 鸟, rank #37175, Very Hard
ōu(ou1) T1
1seagull, tern; Larus species (various)
2common gull
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March 24, 2026
鸥(鷗)ōu(ou1)
鸥 (ōu) refers to a type of seabird commonly known as a seagull or tern, belonging to the family Laridae. These birds are often found near coastal areas and are recognized for their distinctive calls and gliding flight patterns. The term is frequently used in contexts related to nature, wildlife, and coastal environments.
Strokes9Radical鸟Frequency#37175DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, seagulls are often associated with the sea and coastal life, symbolizing freedom and exploration. They are frequently depicted in poetry and art, reflecting the beauty of nature and the relationship between humans and the environment.
Memory Tip
Imagine a seagull soaring over the ocean, its wings spread wide as it glides effortlessly. The character 鸥 resembles the bird's wings and the open sky. The 'ōu' sounds like 'ow' in 'wow,' which is what you might say when you see a magnificent seagull in flight.
Meanings of 鸥
ōu(ou1)
1seagull, tern; Larus species (various)
2common gull
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 鸥
鸥Simplified
鷗Traditional
9Strokes
鸟Radical
名语素míngcínoun root (n.root)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 鸥
Podcast: 鸥
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AI Study Notes for 鸥
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a seagull soaring over the ocean, its wings spread wide as it glides effortlessly. The character 鸥 resembles the bird's wings and the open sky. The 'ōu' sounds like 'ow' in 'wow,' which is what you might say when you see a magnificent seagull in flight.
Usage Notes
Be cautious not to confuse 鸥 with other bird-related terms such as 鸟 (niǎo), which generically means 'bird.' Usage of 鸥 is more specific and often appears in literary or descriptive contexts rather than casual conversation. Ensure the pronunciation stays flat and steady, as the tone can change the meaning.
HSK Study Tips
Although 鸥 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, it connects to HSK Level 2 and 3 words related to animals and nature, like 动物 (dòngwù, animal) and 飞 (fēi, to fly). Students should focus on differentiating birds in Chinese and associating them with their habitats.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, seagulls are often associated with the sea and coastal life, symbolizing freedom and exploration. They are frequently depicted in poetry and art, reflecting the beauty of nature and the relationship between humans and the environment.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 鸥 with similar-sounding words like 鳥 (niǎo) and misspell it as 'ou' instead of 'ōu.' Remember that 鸥 specifically refers to seagulls, not just any bird.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 鸥
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Grammar Patterns of 鸥
鸥 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
贼____是飞行速度很快的黑色鸟类，尾部长而分叉。
Jaegers are swift black birds with long forked tails.
Example Sentences for 鸥 (4)
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1
贼鸥是飞行速度很快的黑色鸟类，尾部长而分叉。
zéi ōu shì fēi háng sù dù hěn kuài de hēi sè niǎo lèi， ， wěi bù cháng ér fēn。
Jaegers are swift black birds with long forked tails.
2
海鸥嘴里叼着鱼。
hǎi ōu zuǐ lǐ diāo zháo yú。
The gull held the fish in its beak.
3
管理员把我们带到斜坡上的一处有利位置，我们从那里看到了下面岩石上的银鸥。
guǎn lǐ yuán bǎ wǒ mén dài dào xié pō shàng de yī chǔ yǒu lì wèi zhì， ， wǒ mén cóng nà lǐ kàn dào le xià miàn yán shí shàng de yín。
The warden took us to a vantage point on the slopes where we saw herring gulls on the rocks below.
The afterglow so brilliantly aflame , ho ; the seagulls fluttering so carefree.
Cultural Notes for 鸥
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, seagulls are often associated with the sea and coastal life, symbolizing freedom and exploration. They are frequently depicted in poetry and art, reflecting the beauty of nature and the relationship between humans and the environment.
Word Family of 鸥
Words Containing This Character3
海鸥(bird species of China) mew gull (Larus canus)海鷗
鸥ōucommon gull鷗
红嘴鸥(bird species of China) black-headed gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus)紅嘴鷗
Exercise 1 of 3
Compound Meaning
What does 海鸥 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 鸥
The correct pronunciation is 'ōu,' with a flat first tone.
It is more common in descriptive or literary contexts rather than in daily conversation.
Related words include 海鸥 (hǎi ōu, sea gull) and 鸟 (niǎo, bird).
