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大雁 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
大雁dàyànwild gooseHSK 7, unknown, 15 strokes, rank #60802, Very Hard
dàyàn(da4yan4)da yan T4
  1. 1wild goose
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March 24, 2026

大雁dàyàn(da4yan4)

大雁 (dà yàn) refers to a wild goose, a bird commonly associated with migration and seasonal changes. In Chinese culture, wild geese symbolize loyalty and love, often depicted in poetry and art during autumn, when they migrate.

Strokes15Frequency#60802DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Chinese poetry, wild geese often represent feelings of homesickness and longing, especially during the autumn months when they migrate. The sight of migrating geese is a poignant reminder of passing time and relationships.

Memory tip

Imagine a large (大) goose (雁) flying in formation with its friends during autumn. The character 大 looks like a big person, and 雁 has a shape reminiscent of a bird in flight. Picture this scene to remember both the meaning and pronunciation.

Meanings of 大雁

dàyàn(da4yan4)
1wild goose
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About 大雁

大雁Simplified
15Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
只Measure Word
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedTOCFLL5CEFRC2

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AI study notes for 大雁

Quick Contrast

候鸟 (hòuniǎo) - use 大雁 for specific references to wild geese, while 候鸟 refers to migratory birds in general.

Usage Notes

The term is often used in literature or discussions about nature, particularly in the context of migration. Common mistakes include confusing it with other birds; ensure you understand that 大雁 specifically refers to geese, not ducks or swans. It's generally used in a neutral tone.

HSK Study Tips

While 大雁 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, learning it can enhance your understanding of nature-related terms. Focus on recognizing the components 大 (big) and 雁 (goose) to help with other bird-related words.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 大雁 with 家鹅 (jiā é), which means domestic goose. Remember, 大雁 specifically refers to wild geese, while 家鹅 refers to the geese that are domesticated.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 大雁

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Component characters

大dàbig
HSK 13 strokes大
View full entry
雁yànwild goose
12 strokes隹
View full entry

How to say wild goose in Chinese

“wild goose” in Chinese is大雁dàyàn

大雁 (dà yàn) refers to a wild goose, a bird commonly associated with migration and seasonal changes. In Chinese culture, wild geese symbolize loyalty and love, often depicted in poetry and art during autumn, when they migrate.

When to use 大雁

The term is often used in literature or discussions about nature, particularly in the context of migration. Common mistakes include confusing it with other birds; ensure you understand that 大雁 specifically refers to geese, not ducks or swans. It's generally used in a neutral tone.

大雁 or something close to it

候鸟 (hòuniǎo) - use 大雁 for specific references to wild geese, while 候鸟 refers to migratory birds in general.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 大雁 with 家鹅 (jiā é), which means domestic goose. Remember, 大雁 specifically refers to wild geese, while 家鹅 refers to the geese that are domesticated.

Write 大雁

大
雁

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Frequently asked questions about 大雁

大雁 symbolizes loyalty and love, often associated with themes of separation and reunion.

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