鼉 (tuó) - Chinese alligator — refers to the Chinese alligator & also used in ancient texts to refer to

鼉Tone 2

tuó ｜ 25 strokes ｜ radical:

婷婉

鼉 · tuó

Chinese alligator — refers to the Chinese alligator (Alligator sinensis), a critically endangered species native to eastern China;

also used in ancient texts to refer to large reptiles or crocodilians.

Chinese alligator — refers to the Chinese alligatoralso used in ancient texts to refer to

Usage highlights

Chinese alligatoralligator drumalligator criesalligator habitatalligator skinalligator in ancient texts

Synonyms

  • 揚子鱷— Yangtze alligator (more common modern term)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The Chinese alligator (鼉) is much smaller than its American cousin.
  • Ancient texts mention the alligator drum (鼉鼓) made from its skin.
  • The alligator's habitat is primarily in the Yangtze River basin (长江流域).
  • The Classic of Poetry mentions the alligator (鼉) in its verses.

Collocations

  • Chinese alligator(鼉)
  • alligator drum(鼉鼓)
  • alligator cries(鼉鳴)
  • alligator habitat(鼉棲地)
  • alligator skin(鼉皮)
  • alligator in ancient texts(古籍中的鼉)

Idioms

  • The alligator drums and dragon flags(鼉鼓龍旗)
  • Alligator cries and turtle sighs(鼉鳴鼈應)
  • As fierce as an alligator(如鼉之猛)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • The Chinese alligator has been known since ancient times and appears in classical texts like the Classic of Poetry.
  • Alligator skin was traditionally used to make drums (鼉鼓) for ceremonial purposes.
  • In Chinese mythology, the alligator is sometimes associated with water deities and flood control legends.
  • The character appears in the name of Tuojiang (鼉江), literally 'Alligator River,' in some regions.

FAQ