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March 24, 2026
鸱(鴟)chī(chi1)
The character 鸱 (chī) refers to a type of bird, specifically the kite or horned owl. It can also denote wine cups and is associated with the scops owl, a small owl known for its distinctive calls. This character is often used in literary contexts or when discussing birds in general.
Strokes10Radical鸟Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, owls are often associated with wisdom and mystery. The concept of 'watching over' or 'being observant' can also connect to traditional beliefs about owls being protectors of the night.
Memory Tip
Think of a wise owl (鸱) sitting on a tree, its large eyes scanning the surroundings, reminiscent of someone sipping wine from a cup. The bird's shape can be visualized as having two prominent 'horns,' which can help you remember the pronunciation 'chī' through the image of a chubby, charming owl.
Meanings of 鸱
chī(chi1)
1kite, horned owl; wine cups
2scops owl
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 鸱
鸱Simplified
鴟Traditional
10Strokes
鸟Radical
语素morpheme (morph.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 鸱
Podcast: 鸱
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AI Study Notes for 鸱
Memory Mnemonic
Think of a wise owl (鸱) sitting on a tree, its large eyes scanning the surroundings, reminiscent of someone sipping wine from a cup. The bird's shape can be visualized as having two prominent 'horns,' which can help you remember the pronunciation 'chī' through the image of a chubby, charming owl.
Usage Notes
While 鸱 is not commonly used in everyday conversation, it can appear in poetry or literature related to nature. Be careful not to confuse it with similar characters for other birds, as context is key. It's generally used in a literary or formal register rather than informal speech.
HSK Study Tips
As 鸱 does not belong to the HSK vocabulary list, learners might encounter it in literature or specialized texts. Focus on recognizing the character within specific contexts, especially when studying bird-related vocabulary or themes in Chinese literature.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, owls are often associated with wisdom and mystery. The concept of 'watching over' or 'being observant' can also connect to traditional beliefs about owls being protectors of the night.
Common Mistakes
Learners might confuse 鸱 with similar characters like 鸟 (bird) due to their shared context. For instance, mistakenly using 鸱 for general bird references instead of the specific owl or kite context can lead to misunderstandings.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 鸱
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Cultural Notes for 鸱
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, owls are often associated with wisdom and mystery. The concept of 'watching over' or 'being observant' can also connect to traditional beliefs about owls being protectors of the night.
Word Family of 鸱
Words Containing This Character1
鸱chīscops owl鴟
Exercise 1 of 1
Compound Meaning
What does 鸱 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 鸱
It is pronounced as 'chī'.
While not common, it may appear in literary contexts or descriptions of nature.
Visualize an owl with horns, sipping wine from a cup, to connect its meaning with its pronunciation.
