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鹰 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
鹰
yīng
eagle, falcon, hawk
HSK 7, n, 18 strokes, radical 鸟, rank #4917, Very Hard
yīng(ying1)ying T1
1eagle, falcon, hawk
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
鹰(鷹)yīng(ying1)
The character 鹰 (yīng) refers to a bird of prey, specifically an eagle, falcon, or hawk. These birds are known for their keen eyesight and hunting skills, making this word commonly used in discussions about nature, wildlife, and symbolism of strength or freedom.
Strokes18Radical鸟Frequency#4917DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note
In Chinese culture, the eagle symbolizes strength, courage, and freedom, often appearing in literature and art as a representation of high aspirations. The phrase '一飞冲天' (yī fēi chōng tiān), meaning 'to soar to the sky', often evokes images of eagles.
Memory tip
Imagine an eagle soaring high in the sky, its sharp eyes scanning the ground below. The character 鹰 resembles a bird with its wings outstretched, and the 'yīng' sound can remind you of the strong 'wing' that these majestic birds possess.
Meanings of 鹰
yīng(ying1)
1eagle, falcon, hawk
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 鹰 means.
About 鹰
鹰Simplified
鷹Traditional
18Strokes
鸟Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 鹰
Podcast: 鹰
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AI study notes for 鹰
Quick Contrast
鹰 (yīng) vs 隼 (sǔn) — use 鹰 for larger birds of prey like eagles, while 隼 refers specifically to smaller falcons.
Usage Notes
When using 鹰, it's important to note that it is often used in a formal context, particularly in literature or discussions about wildlife. A common mistake is to confuse it with other birds of prey; ensure you use it specifically for eagles, falcons, or hawks. Be mindful of the tone; it is pronounced with a high level tone (yīng).
HSK Study Tips
Although 鹰 is not part of the HSK vocabulary list, it relates to the HSK 2 level's focus on animals and nature. Students should pay attention to how this word can enhance their vocabulary related to wildlife, which can also include words like 鸟 (niǎo), meaning 'bird'.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 鹰 with 鸟 (niǎo), which means 'bird' in general. For instance, saying '我看到一个鹰' (Wǒ kàn dào yí ge niǎo) is incorrect; it should be '我看到一只鹰' (Wǒ kàn dào yì zhī yīng) to correctly indicate a specific eagle.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 鹰
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Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
The character 鹰 (yīng) refers to a bird of prey, specifically an eagle, falcon, or hawk. These birds are known for their keen eyesight and hunting skills, making this word commonly used in discussions about nature, wildlife, and symbolism of strength or freedom.
When to use 鹰
When using 鹰, it's important to note that it is often used in a formal context, particularly in literature or discussions about wildlife. A common mistake is to confuse it with other birds of prey; ensure you use it specifically for eagles, falcons, or hawks. Be mindful of the tone; it is pronounced with a high level tone (yīng).
鹰 or something close to it
鹰 (yīng) vs 隼 (sǔn) — use 鹰 for larger birds of prey like eagles, while 隼 refers specifically to smaller falcons.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 鹰 with 鸟 (niǎo), which means 'bird' in general. For instance, saying '我看到一个鹰' (Wǒ kàn dào yí ge niǎo) is incorrect; it should be '我看到一只鹰' (Wǒ kàn dào yì zhī yīng) to correctly indicate a specific eagle.
Write 鹰
鹰
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Practice writing 鹰 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar patterns of 鹰
鹰 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 4
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
对于很多加利福尼亚的印第安人而言，猫头____是圣物。
The owl is sacred for many Californian Indian people.
Example sentences for 鹰 (22)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
对于很多加利福尼亚的印第安人而言，猫头鹰是圣物。
duìyú hěn duō jiā lì fú ní yà de yìn dì Ān rén ér yán， māo tóu yīng shì shèng wù。
The owl is sacred for many Californian Indian people.
2
他是新内阁中鹰派色彩最浓的成员之一。
tā shì xīn nèigé zhōng yīng pài sècǎi zuì nóng de chéngyuán zhīyī。
He is one of the most hawkish members of the new cabinet.
3
鹰嘴豆有独特可口的坚果风味。
yīng zuǐ dòu yǒu dútè kěkǒu de jiānguǒ fēngwèi。
Chick peas have a distinctive, delicious and nutty flavour.
