窠 (kē) - Nest — a bird's nest & a den or lair

窠Tone 1

kē ｜ 13 strokes ｜ radical:

俊梁

窠 · kē

Nest — a bird's nest;

a den or lair;

a fixed pattern or convention (especially in literary or artistic contexts).

Nest — a bird's nesta den or laira fixed pattern or convention (especially in literary

Usage highlights

Bird's nestOld conventionsFox denBeehiveLiterary clichéBreak from convention

Synonyms

  • 巢— nest; den
  • 窝— nest; lair
  • 臼— mortar; conventional pattern (in 窠臼)

Antonyms

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The bird returned to its nest (鸟窠).
  • He broke free from the old literary conventions (不落窠臼).
  • The fox made its den in the ground (狐狸窠).
  • This design avoids clichés (不落窠臼的设计).

Collocations

  • Bird's nest(鸟窠)
  • Old conventions(旧窠)
  • Fox den(狐狸窠)
  • Beehive(蜂窠)
  • Literary cliché(窠臼)
  • Break from convention(脱窠)

Idioms

  • Not falling into old ruts(不落窠臼)
  • Follow the same pattern(依样画葫芦，落入窠臼)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Originally referred to animal dwellings, particularly bird nests.
  • Extended meaning refers to fixed patterns or conventions in art, literature, and behavior.
  • The term 窠臼 specifically denotes rigid conventions that limit creativity.

FAQ