About
The character "乌", representing both the crow and the color black, originates from a pictographic design where its traditional form "烏" illustrates a bird with indistinct features, particularly the eyes, to convey the idea of a creature so dark that its details are lost. This inherent link between the depicted bird and its characteristic coloration established the character's dual semantic function from early on. Structurally, the simplified version emerged through the natural abbreviation found in cursive writing, condensing the form while preserving its recognizable outline. Over centuries, the character's application extended beyond its ornithological reference to broadly signify blackness, becoming a foundational element in numerous compounds that describe dark attributes or objects.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
天上有乌云。
乌鸦在树上叫。
她的头发乌黑。
我喜欢吃乌冬面。
乌拉圭是一个国家。
乌贼在海洋里游泳。
这张桌子是乌木做的。
乌鲁木齐是新疆的首府。