鳄 (è) - Crocodile & alligator

鳄Tone 4

è ｜ 17 strokes ｜ radical:

丁恩

鳄 · è

Crocodile;

alligator;

a large aquatic reptile with a long snout, sharp teeth, and a powerful tail.

Crocodilealligatora large aquatic reptile with a long snout,

Usage highlights

CrocodileAlligatorCrocodile tearsCrocodile leatherCrocodile hunterSwamp crocodile

Synonyms

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • We saw a crocodile (鳄鱼) at the zoo.
  • The Nile crocodile (尼罗鳄) is one of the largest species.
  • Crocodile leather (鳄鱼皮) is used to make luxury goods.
  • He was in crocodile tears (假慈悲).

Collocations

  • Crocodile(鳄鱼)
  • Alligator(短吻鳄)
  • Crocodile tears(鳄鱼的眼泪)
  • Crocodile leather(鳄鱼皮)
  • Crocodile hunter(捕鳄者)
  • Swamp crocodile(沼泽鳄)

Idioms

  • Crocodile tears (鳄鱼的眼泪) — false or insincere display of emotion
  • The crocodile and the plover bird (鳄鸟共生) — a symbiotic relationship
  • A crocodile in a sheep's pen (羊圈里的鳄鱼) — a dangerous intruder in a safe place

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In Chinese culture, the crocodile is often associated with danger, ferocity, and deceit, as seen in the idiom 'crocodile tears'.
  • Historically, crocodiles were mythical creatures in some Chinese legends, sometimes conflated with dragons.
  • The character 鳄 is semantically linked to the 'fish' radical 鱼, reflecting its aquatic nature.

FAQ