鸟鳥 niǎo — bird
niǎo (third tone, dipping)niao3
Traditional: 鳥
bird
HSK 3· HSK 1–4 (classic)nounMeasure word 只
Meanings
bird
The bird, counted with 只 like most animals. The traditional 鳥 is still recognisably a bird in profile — a head, an eye, a wing and the four dots that stand for its feet.
noun
Example sentences
- 早上有很多鸟在树上唱歌。早上有很多鳥在樹上唱歌。Zǎoshang (third tone, dipping) yǒu (third tone, dipping) hěn (third tone, dipping) duō (first tone, high and level) niǎo (third tone, dipping) zài (fourth tone, falling) shù (fourth tone, falling) shang (neutral tone) chànggē. (fourth tone, falling)···
In the morning there are many birds singing in the trees.
- 那只鸟是白的，真漂亮。那隻鳥是白的，真漂亮。Nà (fourth tone, falling) zhī (first tone, high and level) niǎo (third tone, dipping) shì (fourth tone, falling) bái (second tone, rising) de, (neutral tone) zhēn (first tone, high and level) piàoliang. (fourth tone, falling)···
That bird is white — really beautiful.
Common mistakes
Not quite一个鸟
Correct一只鸟
个 is the classifier of last resort, and animals do not need it: birds, cats, dogs and pandas all take 只. Reaching for 个 here marks a beginner as clearly as a wrong tone.