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March 24, 2026
鹘(鶻)gǔ(gu3)
The character 鹘 (gǔ) refers to a type of bird, specifically a kind of pigeon or migratory bird, often associated with the treron permagna species. It is used in both formal contexts, such as ornithology, and in casual conversations about birds and wildlife.
Strokes14Radical鸟Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, birds like the 鹘 are often symbols of freedom and nature, reflecting the country's rich biodiversity and appreciation for wildlife. Birdwatching is a popular hobby, especially in rural areas where these migratory birds can be observed.
Memory Tip
Imagine a pigeon (the core meaning of 鹘) soaring through the sky, and think of the character's left side, '鹿', which means deer, and visualizes a 'deer' flying like a bird. The 'g' in 'gǔ' sounds like 'gull', another bird you might picture with wings.
Meanings of 鹘
gǔ(gu3)
primary
1a kind of pigeon; treron permagna
2falcon
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 鹘
鹘Simplified
鶻Traditional
14Strokes
鸟Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 鹘
Podcast: 鹘
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AI Study Notes for 鹘
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a pigeon (the core meaning of 鹘) soaring through the sky, and think of the character's left side, '鹿', which means deer, and visualizes a 'deer' flying like a bird. The 'g' in 'gǔ' sounds like 'gull', another bird you might picture with wings.
Usage Notes
Common mistakes include confusing 鹘 with similar-sounding bird names due to the tonal nature of Mandarin. This word is more likely used in formal contexts like nature documentaries or discussions rather than everyday conversation. Be mindful of the tone to avoid miscommunication.
HSK Study Tips
As 鹘 is not part of the HSK vocabulary list, learners should focus on related bird vocabulary at their level, such as 鸟 (niǎo, bird) and 鸽子 (gēzi, pigeon). Understanding such terms can enhance your grasp of animal-related discussions.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, birds like the 鹘 are often symbols of freedom and nature, reflecting the country's rich biodiversity and appreciation for wildlife. Birdwatching is a popular hobby, especially in rural areas where these migratory birds can be observed.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 鹘 with 鸽子 (gēzi), which means pigeon. Remember that while both relate to birds, 鹘 refers to a specific kind of migratory bird and is less commonly used. An incorrect sentence might be '我看到一个鹘在公园' (I saw a pigeon in the park) when it should be '我看到一个鸽子在公园'.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 鹘
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Cultural Notes for 鹘
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, birds like the 鹘 are often symbols of freedom and nature, reflecting the country's rich biodiversity and appreciation for wildlife. Birdwatching is a popular hobby, especially in rural areas where these migratory birds can be observed.
Word Family of 鹘
Words Containing This Character2
鹘gǔfalcon鶻
回鹘Huihu, Tang dynasty name of ethnic group corresponding to modern Uighur 維吾爾|维吾尔[Wéiwú'ěr]回鶻
Exercise 1 of 2
Compound Meaning
What does 鹘 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 鹘
It is pronounced as 'gǔ', with a falling tone.
No, 鹘 is more commonly found in written contexts, especially in scientific or formal discussions about birds.
鹘 specifically refers to a type of pigeon or migratory bird, while other characters like 鸟 (niǎo) can refer to all birds in general.
