雀 (què) - Sparrow & small bird

雀Tone 4

què ｜ 11 strokes ｜ radical:

情仁

雀 · què

Sparrow;

small bird;

sometimes used to describe something small or insignificant;

also used in words meaning sparrow or finch.

Sparrowsmall birdsometimes used to describe something small or insignificant

Usage highlights

SparrowPeacockSparrow hawkTitGoldfinchBird's nest

Synonyms

  • 鸟— bird (general term)
  • 禽— bird (formal or literary)

Antonyms

  • 兽— beast (land animal, as opposed to bird)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • A sparrow is perched on the branch (麻雀停在树枝上).
  • The sparrow hawk is a bird of prey (雀鹰是一种猛禽).
  • He is as happy as a lark (他高兴得像只麻雀).
  • The peacock displays its beautiful feathers (孔雀开屏).

Collocations

  • Sparrow(麻雀)
  • Peacock(孔雀)
  • Sparrow hawk(雀鹰)
  • Tit (sparrow)(山雀)
  • Goldfinch(金翅雀)
  • Bird's nest(雀巢)

Idioms

  • To be overjoyed(雀跃不已)
  • Silent as a mouse(鸦雀无声)
  • The sparrow may be small but it has all the vital organs(麻雀虽小，五脏俱全)
  • To aim for the magpie without noticing the oriole behind(螳螂捕蝉，黄雀在后)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In Chinese culture, sparrows are often seen as common, humble birds, symbolizing simplicity and the ordinary.
  • The peacock (孔雀), which includes the character 雀, is a symbol of beauty, dignity, and good fortune.
  • The idiom 'Silent as a mouse' (鸦雀无声) uses the absence of birdsong to depict extreme quiet.

FAQ