鵑 (juān) - Cuckoo — refers to the cuckoo bird, particularly

鵑Tone 1

juān ｜ 18 strokes ｜ radical:

傑君

鵑 · juān

Cuckoo — refers to the cuckoo bird, particularly in the context of the cuckoo's call, often associated with longing and sorrow in Chinese poetry.

Cuckoo — refers to the cuckoo bird, particularly

Usage highlights

Cuckoo birdAzalea flowerCuckoo's lamentCuckoo mountainCuckoo's callCuckoo's cry

Synonyms

  • 杜鹃— Cuckoo (full name for the bird)
  • 布谷鸟— Cuckoo (alternative common name)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The cuckoo's call sounds melancholic (杜鹃啼叫).
  • Cuckoo birds are known for brood parasitism (杜鹃鸟).
  • The azalea is also called 'cuckoo flower' (杜鹃花).
  • He wrote a poem about the cuckoo's lament (杜鹃啼血).

Collocations

  • Cuckoo bird(杜鹃鸟)
  • Azalea flower(杜鹃花)
  • Cuckoo's lament(杜鹃啼血)
  • Cuckoo mountain(杜鹃山)
  • Cuckoo's call(杜鹃啼叫)
  • Cuckoo's cry(杜鹃哀鸣)

Idioms

  • The cuckoo weeping blood(杜鹃啼血)
  • Wangdi transformed into a cuckoo(望帝化鹃)
  • The cuckoo cries, the nightingale sings(杜鹃啼血，黄莺啼春)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In Chinese mythology, the cuckoo is associated with the ancient king Wangdi who transformed into a cuckoo after his death.
  • The cuckoo's call is traditionally interpreted as sounding like 'better go home' and symbolizes homesickness and sorrow.
  • The character appears frequently in classical poetry to evoke feelings of melancholy, longing, and the passage of time.

FAQ