鳌

鰲/鼇

áo

敖 + 鱼

Definitions

áo mythological sea turtle

áo variant of 鰲|鳌[áo]

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 鱼 represents the meaning and 敖 represents the sound. Simplified form of 鰲.

Semantic: 鱼 Phonetic: 敖

About

鳌 is a phono-semantic compound denoting a colossal, mythological sea turtle or giant fish from Chinese folklore. Its semantic radical 鱼 (appearing as 魚 in the traditional form) classifies it as an aquatic creature, while the upper component 敖 supplies the pronunciation. In myth, this being is often depicted bearing mountains on its back or propping up the heavens, lending the character a specialized literary meaning for immense foundational strength, supreme academic success, or an entity of oceanic magnitude.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

传说东海有神鳌。

Chuánshuō Dōnghǎi yǒu shén'áo.

Legend says there is a divine giant turtle in the East Sea.

这座鳌山是元宵灯会的亮点。

Zhè zuò áoshān shì yuánxiāo dēnghuì de liàngdiǎn.

This giant lantern mountain is the highlight of the Lantern Festival.

他力大无穷，仿佛能独占鳌头。

Tā lì dà wúqióng, fǎngfú néng dúzhàn áotóu.

He is immensely strong, as if he could take the top spot alone.

公园里新立了一座巨鳌的雕塑。

Gōngyuán lǐ xīn lì le yī zuò jù áo de diāosù.

A sculpture of a giant turtle has been newly erected in the park.

古代神话中，鳌曾背负着仙山。

Gǔdài shénhuà zhōng, áo céng bēifù zhe xiān shān.

In ancient mythology, the giant turtle once carried immortal mountains on its back.

在竞赛中独占鳌头是他的目标。

Zài jìngsài zhōng dúzhàn áotóu shì tā de mùbiāo.

To take the top position in the competition is his goal.

这座岛屿的形状好似一只浮出海面的鳌。

Zhè zuò dǎoyǔ de xíngzhuàng hǎosì yī zhǐ fú chū hǎimiàn de áo.

The shape of this island is like a giant turtle floating up from the sea.

他的研究在学术界已占据鳌头多年。

Tā de yánjiū zài xuéshùjiè yǐ zhànjù áotóu duō nián.

His research has held the leading position in academia for many years.

Related Characters

Component: 敖

Component: 鱼

鳌