() - Crow — refers to various species of crows & often associated with black color, ominous signs, or

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yā | 15 strokes | radical:

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Crow — refers to various species of crows and ravens;

often associated with black color, ominous signs, or death in Chinese culture.

Crow — refers to various species of crowsoften associated with black color, ominous signs, or

Usage highlights

CrowRavenBlack as a crowCrow's featherCaw of a crowCrow's beak

Synonyms

  • 乌鸦Crow (common term)
  • 老鸹Crow (colloquial, regional)

Antonyms

  • Magpie (often symbolizes good fortune)
  • Phoenix (noble mythical bird)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • A crow cawed on the old tree (乌鸦在老树上叫).
  • Her hair was as black as a crow's feathers (她的头发像鸦羽一样黑).
  • The battlefield was silent, save for the crows (战场上鸦雀无声).
  • Crow's feet are wrinkles at the corner of the eyes (鱼尾纹也叫鸦爪纹).

Collocations

  • Crow(乌鸦)
  • Raven(渡鸦)
  • Black as a crow(鸦黑)
  • Crow's feather(鸦羽)
  • Caw of a crow(鸦噪)
  • Crow's beak(鸦喙)

Idioms

  • Silent as a crow and sparrow — absolute silence(鸦雀无声)
  • Crow's beak and sparrow's silence — complete quiet(鸦默雀静)
  • Crow's nest and phoenix's dwelling — humble and noble abodes(鸦巢生凤)
  • Crow's black and magpie's noise — ominous signs(鸦黑鹊噪)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In Chinese culture, crows are often seen as omens of bad luck, death, or misfortune due to their black color and scavenging habits.
  • Despite negative connotations, crows are also recognized for their intelligence in Chinese folklore and proverbs.
  • The character appears in classical poetry, sometimes symbolizing desolation or autumn melancholy.

FAQ