笯 (nú) - A cage for birds & a birdcage

笯Tone 2

nú ｜ 11 strokes ｜ radical:

柠七

笯 · nú

A cage for birds;

a birdcage;

to confine or cage birds.

A cage for birdsa birdcageto confine or cage birds.

Usage highlights

BirdcageConfine birdsBamboo cageBird in cage

Synonyms

  • 笼— cage, coop
  • 槛— enclosure, pen

Antonyms

  • 翔— to soar, glide
  • 飞— to fly

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The bird was kept in a cage (笯).
  • Ancient birdcages (笯) were often made of bamboo.
  • To confine a bird (笯鸟).

Collocations

  • Birdcage(笯)
  • Confine birds(笯鸟)
  • Bamboo cage(竹笯)
  • Bird in cage(鸟在笯)

Idioms

  • Like a phoenix in a cage(凤在笯)
  • The luan confined in a cage(鸾笯)
  • A fine bird in a cage(珍禽在笯)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Appears in classical Chinese poetry to symbolize confinement or unrealized potential.
  • Used metaphorically for talented individuals restricted by circumstances.
  • Often associated with rare or mythical birds like phoenixes in literary contexts.

FAQ