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鹠 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
liúowlzg, 15 strokes, radical 鸟, Very Hard
liú(liu2) T2
  1. 1owl
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March 24, 2026

(鶹)liú(liu2)

The character 鹠 (liú) refers to a type of owl, specifically the Eurasian eagle-owl. It is often used in literary contexts or specific discussions about birds and wildlife. In Chinese culture, owls can symbolize wisdom but also have associations with bad omens in some regions.

Strokes15RadicalFrequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese folklore, owls are often seen as mysterious creatures that can bring both good and bad fortune, depending on the region and context. The character 鹠 is less commonly known, indicating the specific cultural knowledge about owls that varies across China.

Memory Tip

Imagine an owl (the character 鹠) sitting on a branch at dusk, its wide eyes glowing like lanterns. The character's form includes the radical for 'bird' (鸟), hinting at its avian nature, while the pronunciation 'liú' sounds like 'lou,' a cozy sound you might associate with night and owls.

Meanings of 鹠

liú(liu2)
1owl
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 鹠

Simplified
Traditional
15Strokes
Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 鹠

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AI Study Notes for 鹠

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine an owl (the character 鹠) sitting on a branch at dusk, its wide eyes glowing like lanterns. The character's form includes the radical for 'bird' (鸟), hinting at its avian nature, while the pronunciation 'liú' sounds like 'lou,' a cozy sound you might associate with night and owls.

Usage Notes

The character 鹠 is rarely used in everyday conversation, often appearing in literary or scientific texts. Learners should avoid confusing it with similar words for other birds. It is important to remember that the tone is crucial; mispronouncing it could lead to misunderstandings.

HSK Study Tips

Although 鹠 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, it connects with HSK vocabulary related to animals. Students should focus on the pronunciation and context for discussing wildlife, as it enhances their ability to describe nature in Chinese.

Cultural Note

In Chinese folklore, owls are often seen as mysterious creatures that can bring both good and bad fortune, depending on the region and context. The character 鹠 is less commonly known, indicating the specific cultural knowledge about owls that varies across China.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 鹠 with other bird characters like 鸟 (bird) or 鸺 (another type of owl). For example, using 鹠 in a casual conversation about pets would be incorrect; a more suitable term would be 鸟.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 鹠

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Etymology of 鹠

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

bird

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

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 鹠?

Decomposition of 鹠

IDS Structure⿰留鸟
Full Character
=
liu2
left
diao3
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 鹠?

Write 鹠

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Cultural Notes for 鹠

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese folklore, owls are often seen as mysterious creatures that can bring both good and bad fortune, depending on the region and context. The character 鹠 is less commonly known, indicating the specific cultural knowledge about owls that varies across China.

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

In Western cultures, owls are predominantly seen as symbols of wisdom; however, in some Chinese contexts, they can also symbolize misfortune, reflecting a nuanced view of these creatures.

Word Family of 鹠

Words Containing This Character1
liúcollared owlet (Glaucidium brodiei)
Exercise 1 of 1

Compound Meaning

What does 鹠 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 鹠

It means 'owl,' specifically referring to species like the Eurasian eagle-owl.