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March 24, 2026
鹕(鶘)hú(hu2)
The character 鹕 (hú) refers specifically to a pelican, a large waterbird known for its distinctive long beak and throat pouch used for catching fish. This term is often used in literary contexts or when discussing wildlife, particularly in relation to their habitats and behaviors.
Strokes14Radical鸟Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, pelicans are often associated with rivers and lakes, reflecting the importance of water in traditional Chinese poetry and art. They symbolize grace and adaptability in their natural environments.
Memory Tip
Imagine a large, happy pelican with a big pouch (the character's radical 鳥, meaning bird, hints at its avian nature) swooping down to catch fish in a lake. The sound 'hú' can remind you of the sound of a pelican's splash as it dives, helping you remember both the character and its pronunciation.
Meanings of 鹕
hú(hu2)
1pelican
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 鹕
鹕Simplified
鶘Traditional
14Strokes
鸟Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 鹕
Podcast: 鹕
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AI Study Notes for 鹕
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a large, happy pelican with a big pouch (the character's radical 鳥, meaning bird, hints at its avian nature) swooping down to catch fish in a lake. The sound 'hú' can remind you of the sound of a pelican's splash as it dives, helping you remember both the character and its pronunciation.
Usage Notes
While 鹕 is not commonly used in daily conversation, it may appear in literature, nature documentaries, or discussions about bird species. Be aware of the formal context in which this word is used; it doesn't typically appear in casual speech, and learners may confuse it with similar bird names like 鴨 (yā, duck).
HSK Study Tips
Although 鹕 is not an HSK vocabulary word, it can enrich your understanding of animal-related vocabulary. Focus on the radicals and structure of animal names to build connections with other HSK words, such as 鸟 (niǎo, bird) and 魚 (yú, fish).
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, pelicans are often associated with rivers and lakes, reflecting the importance of water in traditional Chinese poetry and art. They symbolize grace and adaptability in their natural environments.
Common Mistakes
Learners may confuse 鹕 with other bird characters due to their similar appearances. For example, mixing it up with 鸭 (yā, duck) is common; remember that 鹕 specifically refers to a pelican, which is much larger and has a distinctive beak.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 鹕
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Cultural Notes for 鹕
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, pelicans are often associated with rivers and lakes, reflecting the importance of water in traditional Chinese poetry and art. They symbolize grace and adaptability in their natural environments.
Word Family of 鹕
Words Containing This Character2
鹈鹕pelican鵜鶘
鹕húpelican鶘
Exercise 1 of 2
Compound Meaning
What does 鹈鹕 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 鹕
It is pronounced as 'hú'.
No, it is more often found in literary contexts or discussions about birds.
You might encounter characters like 鸟 (niǎo, bird) and 鴨 (yā, duck) when exploring bird-related vocabulary.