鸽

鴿

gē

合 + 鸟

Definitions

gē (noun) pigeon; dove

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 鸟 represents the meaning and 合 represents the sound. Simplified form of 鴿.

Semantic: 鸟 Phonetic: 合

About

鸽 is a phono-semantic compound that simplifies the traditional form 鴿. The semantic component is the bird radical 鸟 (鳥 in traditional orthography), indicating the general category; the phonetic component 合 provides the pronunciation. The character primarily denotes pigeons and doves, encompassing species of the Columbidae family. Historically, domesticated pigeons were valued for their homing ability and used as messengers, so 鸽 frequently appears in compounds related to communication and the transmission of letters. In modern usage, the meaning remains firmly tied to the actual bird, yet it has gained symbolic associations with peace and pacifism, largely through international cultural exchanges rather than any indigenous semantic development within the character itself.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我看见一只鸽子。

Wǒ kànjiàn yī zhī gēzi.

I see a pigeon.

这只鸽子很白。

Zhè zhī gēzi hěn bái.

This pigeon is very white.

鸽子喜欢吃玉米。

Gēzi xǐhuān chī yùmǐ.

Pigeons like to eat corn.

公园里有很多鸽子。

Gōngyuán lǐ yǒu hěn duō gēzi.

There are many pigeons in the park.

信鸽可以送信。

Xìngē kěyǐ sòng xìn.

Homing pigeons can deliver letters.

那只灰色的鸽子飞走了。

Nà zhī huīsè de gēzi fēi zǒu le.

That grey pigeon flew away.

如果喂鸽子，它们会聚集过来。

Rúguǒ wèi gēzi, tāmen huì jùjí guòlái.

If you feed the pigeons, they will gather around.

鸽子的导航能力令科学家着迷。

Gēzi de dǎoháng nénglì lìng kēxuéjiā zháomí.

The navigation ability of pigeons fascinates scientists.

Related Characters

Component: 合

Component: 鸟

鸽