鹄 (gǔ) - Swan — refers to a swan, particularly a & by extension, a target in archery

鹄Tone 3

gǔ ｜ 12 strokes ｜ radical:

枫惠

鹄 · gǔ

Swan — refers to a swan, particularly a whooper swan;

by extension, a target in archery;

figuratively, an aspiration or goal.

Swan — refers to a swan, particularly aby extension, a target in archeryfiguratively, an aspiration or goal.

Usage highlights

SwanTarget in archeryGreat ambitionSwan's songWhite as a swanSwan goose

Synonyms

  • 天鹅— Swan (more common term)
  • 鸿鹄— Swan (literary, emphasizing grandeur)

Antonyms

  • 鹜— Duck (contrasted with swan in idioms)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • A swan flies south for the winter (鹄南飞).
  • He aimed at the target (鹄的).
  • Her ambition is to become a doctor (鸿鹄之志).
  • The swan's feathers are pure white (鹄白).

Collocations

  • Swan(鹄)
  • Target in archery(鹄的)
  • Great ambition(鸿鹄之志)
  • Swan's song(鹄鸣)
  • White as a swan(鹄白)
  • Swan goose(鹄雁)

Idioms

  • The swan's ambition(鸿鹄之志)
  • Aiming at the target(刻鹄类鹜)
  • Like a swan among chickens(孤鹄离群)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In ancient China, the swan (鹄) symbolized noble aspirations and lofty goals, as seen in the idiom '鸿鹄之志'.
  • The character was also used to denote the target in archery, representing precision and focus.
  • Swans were admired for their majestic flight and pure white plumage, often associated with elegance and purity.

FAQ