Definitions

chú (bound form) chick; young bird

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound. Simplified form of .

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "雏", originating from its traditional form "雛", structurally integrates the phonetic component "芻" – later simplified to "刍" – with the semantic radical "隹" indicating a bird, a composition that initially referred to a young bird requiring care and feeding. Etymologically, this connection stems from "芻" meaning to cut grass for fodder, thus emphasizing the nurturing aspect of youth. Over time, the meaning expanded from denoting specifically young birds to encompassing any young animal, and subsequently acquired a figurative layer to describe inexperienced individuals or novices in various contexts. The simplified form "雏" maintains this conceptual framework by preserving the semantic element "隹" while adapting the phonetic component, illustrating a shift in application from a literal ornithological term to a broader descriptive used for youth and inexperience.

Etymology Hide

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

Example Sentences Hide

这只鸟很可爱。

Zhè zhī chúniǎo hěn kě'ài.

This baby bird is very cute.

鸟窝里有三只鸟。

Niǎo wō li yǒu sān zhī chúniǎo.

There are three chicks in the bird's nest.

他们精心照料刚孵出的鸡。

Tāmen jīngxīn zhàoliào gāng fūchū de chújī.

They carefully tend to the newly hatched chicks.

这个计划还只是一个形。

Zhège jìhuà hái zhǐshì yīgè chúxíng.

This plan is still just a prototype.

农场里有许多黄色的鸡。

Nóngchǎng li yǒu xǔduō huángsè de chújī.

There are many yellow chicks on the farm.

古人用“凤清声”比喻才华出众的子弟。

Gǔrén yòng "chú fèng qīng shēng" bǐyù cáihuá chūzhòng de zǐdì.

The ancients used "a young phoenix's clear voice" to metaphorically describe outstandingly talented young people.

这个新理论仍处于形阶段。

Zhège xīn lǐlùn réng chǔyú chúxíng jiēduàn.

This new theory is still in its embryonic stage.

鹰、虎和狮都是幼兽。

Chúyīng, chúhǔ hé chúshī dōu shì yòushòu.

Eaglets, tiger cubs, and lion cubs are all young animals.