鴃 (jué) - A shrike (bird) & also refers to a bird with a harsh

鴃Tone 2

jué ｜ 15 strokes ｜ radical:

傑君

鴃 · jué

A shrike (bird);

also refers to a bird with a harsh cry, sometimes used metaphorically for a barbarian or foreigner in classical texts.

A shrike (bird)also refers to a bird with a harsh

Usage highlights

Shrike birdHarsh tongueShrike's cryBarbarian's speechNorthern shrike

Synonyms

  • 伯劳— shrike (bird species)
  • 蛮夷— barbarian (cultural sense)

Antonyms

  • 华— civilized, Chinese (cultural antonym)
  • 雅— elegant, refined

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The shrike is a predatory bird (鴃鸟).
  • The sound of the shrike is harsh (鴃舌).
  • In ancient texts, it could refer to foreign languages (鴃舌之音).
  • The bird is known for impaling its prey (伯劳鸟, a type of shrike).

Collocations

  • Shrike bird(鴃鸟)
  • Harsh tongue(鴃舌)
  • Shrike's cry(鴃鸣)
  • Barbarian's speech(鴃舌之音)
  • Northern shrike(北鴃)

Idioms

  • The shrike has a jay's ambitions(鴃有鹊巢)
  • Harsh and difficult to understand(鴃舌之音)
  • The shrike cries in the fourth month(四月鴃鸣)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In classical Chinese literature, the shrike (鴃) was often used to symbolize harshness or barbarism due to its cry.
  • The term '鴃舌' was used by ancient Chinese to describe languages they considered uncivilized or difficult to understand.
  • The character appears in classical texts like Mencius, where it refers to barbarian speech.

FAQ