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鹞 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
鹞yàosparrow hawk; Circus species (various)ng, 15 strokes, radical 鸟, rank #49554, Very Hard
鹞yàoAccipiter nisusunknown, 15 strokes, radical 鸟, rank #49554, Very Hard
yào(yao4)yao T4
  1. 1sparrow hawk; Circus species (various)
  2. 2Accipiter nisus
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March 24, 2026

鹞(鷂)yào(yao4)

The character 鹞 (yào) refers to a type of bird, specifically the sparrow hawk, which is known for its agility and sharp hunting skills. Commonly used in discussions about birds of prey, it can also refer to various species within the Circus genus. This term may be encountered in ornithology or when discussing wildlife in a more general context.

Strokes15Radical鸟Frequency#49554DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, birds of prey like the sparrow hawk are often admired for their hunting prowess and are sometimes featured in traditional poetry and art, symbolizing strength and agility.

Memory Tip

Imagine a 'yowl' (sounds like 'yào') from a sparrow hawk as it swoops down to catch its prey. The character 鹞 features the radical for bird (鸟) on the right, reminding you that it relates to a type of bird, while the left side hints at its swift and fierce nature.

Meanings of 鹞

yào(yao4)
1sparrow hawk; Circus species (various)
2Accipiter nisus
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 鹞

鹞Simplified
鷂Traditional
15Strokes
鸟Radical
名语素míngcínoun root (n.root)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 鹞

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Podcast: 鹞

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AI Study Notes for 鹞

Quick Contrast

鹰 (yīng) - use 鹞 (yào) when referring specifically to the sparrow hawk, while 鹰 (yīng) refers to eagles in general.

Usage Notes

Learners often confuse 鹞 with other bird-related characters, so pay attention to context when using it. This term is more formal and may not be commonly used in casual conversations about pets or domestic birds. Pair it with words like '捕猎' (bǔliè - to hunt) for natural collocations.

HSK Study Tips

While 鹞 is not part of the HSK vocabulary list, understanding this character can enhance your knowledge of specific wildlife terms. Focus on related words for birds and hunting to build a broader vocabulary around nature and animals at your current level.

Common Mistakes

Learners might confuse 鹞 with other similar bird characters, like 鸟 (niǎo - bird). For example, saying '我看到一只鸟' (Wǒ kàn dào yī zhī niǎo - I saw a bird) when referring specifically to a sparrow hawk would be incorrect; instead, use '我看到一只鹞' (Wǒ kàn dào yī zhī yào).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 鹞

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Etymology of 鹞

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Memory Hint

bird

Semantic (meaning)鸟
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

What kind of character is 鹞?

Decomposition of 鹞

IDS Structure⿰?鸟
鹞Full Character
=
鸟diao3
left
Exercise 1 of 1

Parts

Which of these is part of 鹞?

How to say sparrow hawk; Circus species (various) in Chinese

“sparrow hawk; Circus species (various)” in Chinese is鹞yào

The character 鹞 (yào) refers to a type of bird, specifically the sparrow hawk, which is known for its agility and sharp hunting skills. Commonly used in discussions about birds of prey, it can also refer to various species within the Circus genus. This term may be encountered in ornithology or when discussing wildlife in a more general context.

When to use 鹞

Learners often confuse 鹞 with other bird-related characters, so pay attention to context when using it. This term is more formal and may not be commonly used in casual conversations about pets or domestic birds. Pair it with words like '捕猎' (bǔliè - to hunt) for natural collocations.

鹞 or something close to it

鹰 (yīng) - use 鹞 (yào) when referring specifically to the sparrow hawk, while 鹰 (yīng) refers to eagles in general.

What learners get wrong

Learners might confuse 鹞 with other similar bird characters, like 鸟 (niǎo - bird). For example, saying '我看到一只鸟' (Wǒ kàn dào yī zhī niǎo - I saw a bird) when referring specifically to a sparrow hawk would be incorrect; instead, use '我看到一只鹞' (Wǒ kàn dào yī zhī yào).

Write 鹞

鹞

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Word Family of 鹞

Words Containing This Character1
鹞yàosparrow hawk鷂

Frequently Asked Questions about 鹞

It means 'sparrow hawk', a type of bird known for its hunting skills.

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