Definitions

(noun) duck

Etymology

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

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

鸭 is a phono-semantic compound representing a duck. Its right side, 鸟 (bird), provides the semantic category, while the left side, 甲, supplies the pronunciation. The traditional form 鴨 follows the same structure, using the traditional radical 鳥. Historically, the character has referred to various duck species. In modern usage, it can also describe dishes or, in slang, male sex workers, though its core meaning remains a waterbird.

Etymology Hide

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

Example Sentences Hide

池塘里有几只

Chí táng lǐ yǒu jǐ zhǐ yā.

There are a few ducks in the pond.

妈妈买了一只烤

Māma mǎi le yī zhī kǎo yā.

Mom bought a roast duck.

子在水里游来游去。

Xiǎo yāzi zài shuǐ lǐ yóu lái yóu qù.

The ducklings are swimming back and forth in the water.

我喜欢吃北京烤

Wǒ xǐhuan chī Běijīng kǎo yā.

I like to eat Peking duck.

蛋比鸡蛋大一些。

Yā dàn bǐ jī dàn dà yīxiē.

Duck eggs are a bit larger than chicken eggs.

这个故事里的丑小很勇敢。

Zhège gùshi lǐ de chǒu xiǎo yā hěn yǒnggǎn.

The ugly duckling in this story is very brave.

这件羽绒服用的是绒。

Zhè jiàn yǔróngfú yòng de shì yā róng.

This down jacket uses duck down.

那只黄茸茸的小很快学会了游泳。

Nà zhī huáng róng róng de xiǎo yā hěn kuài xuéhuì le yóuyǒng.

That fluffy yellow duckling quickly learned how to swim.