Definitions

zhuó to peck

Etymology phono-semantic

mouth

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "啄" is structured with the semantic component "口" on the left, denoting an action related to the mouth, and the phonetic component "豖" on the right, which provides a sound clue. Its core meaning has always been the pecking action performed by birds, though over time it has also come to describe any similar picking or poking motion executed with a pointed object. The form of this character has remained consistent, with no distinct simplified version developed.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

木鸟在树上虫子。

Zhuó mù niǎo zài shù shàng zhuó chóng zi.

The woodpecker pecks insects on the tree.

小鸡在地上米。

Xiǎo jī zài dì shàng zhuó mǐ.

The chicks are pecking rice on the ground.

鸟儿食树上的果实。

Niǎo er zhuó shí shù shàng de guǒ shí.

Birds peck at the fruits on the tree.

公鸡用嘴地上的种子。

Gōng jī yòng zuǐ zhuó dì shàng de zhǒng zi.

The rooster uses its beak to peck seeds on the ground.

我看到一只鸟在窗户。

Wǒ kàn dào yī zhī niǎo zài zhuó chuāng hu.

I saw a bird pecking at the window.

木鸟不停地树皮,寻找昆虫。

Zhuó mù niǎo bù tíng de zhuó shù pí, xún zhǎo kūn chóng.

The woodpecker continuously pecks the bark, searching for insects.

如果鸟儿饿了,它们会食任何可吃的东西。

Rú guǒ niǎo er è le, tā men huì zhuó shí rèn hé kě chī de dōng xi.

If birds are hungry, they will peck at anything edible.

那只受伤的鸽子只能用一只脚站立,勉强食。

Nà zhī shòu shāng de gē zi zhǐ néng yòng yī zhī jiǎo zhàn lì, miǎn qiǎng zhuó shí.

That injured pigeon can only stand on one foot, barely pecking at food.