Meanings of 鸦
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About 鸦
Podcast: 鸦
Podcast: 鸦
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AI Study Notes for 鸦
乌 (wū) — use 鸦 (yā) when specifically referring to crows, while 乌 (wū) generally refers to black birds or crows in a broader sense.
Learners often confuse 鸦 with other similar bird characters like 鸟 (bird) or 鴉 (also meaning crow but in a more literary context). It's more commonly used in informal settings and specific discussions about birds. Remember that the tone is important; 'yā' with a high tone can change the meaning entirely.
Although 鸦 is not part of the HSK vocabulary lists, it can be associated with other HSK level vocabulary related to animals. Focus on recognizing this character in context when reading about wildlife or nature.
A common mistake is confusing 鸦 with 鸟 (bird) in general discussions about animals. For example, saying '我看到一只鸟' (Wǒ kàn dào yī zhī niǎo) when referring specifically to a crow should instead use 鸦: '我看到一只鸦' (Wǒ kàn dào yī zhī yā).
Pronunciation of 鸦
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Jason Explains 鸦 to You
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Knowing 鸦 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
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Etymology of 鸦
Phonosemantic compound. 鸟 represents the meaning and 牙 represents the sound. Simplified form of 鴉.
bird
Origin
鸦 = 鸟 + 牙. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 鸦
Parts
Which of these is part of 鸦?
How to say crow in Chinese
“crow” in Chinese is鸦
The character 鸦 (yā) refers to a type of bird known as a crow, specifically belonging to the genus Corvus. It is commonly used when discussing avian species in Chinese, as well as in idiomatic expressions that reflect the crow's characteristics, such as being dark or ominous.
When to use 鸦
Learners often confuse 鸦 with other similar bird characters like 鸟 (bird) or 鴉 (also meaning crow but in a more literary context). It's more commonly used in informal settings and specific discussions about birds. Remember that the tone is important; 'yā' with a high tone can change the meaning entirely.
鸦 or something close to it
乌 (wū) — use 鸦 (yā) when specifically referring to crows, while 乌 (wū) generally refers to black birds or crows in a broader sense.
What learners get wrong
A common mistake is confusing 鸦 with 鸟 (bird) in general discussions about animals. For example, saying '我看到一只鸟' (Wǒ kàn dào yī zhī niǎo) when referring specifically to a crow should instead use 鸦: '我看到一只鸦' (Wǒ kàn dào yī zhī yā).
Write 鸦
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Practice writing 鸦 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 鸦
鸦 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.
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
新老建筑上都有密密麻麻的涂____。
Buildings old and new are thickly covered with graffiti.
Example Sentences for 鸦 (6)
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Word Family of 鸦
Words with 鸦
What does 乌鸦 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 鸦
鸦 is a more commonly used character in modern contexts, while 鴉 is considered more literary or archaic.
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