鹰
yīng
The Chinese word for hawk is 鹰 (yīng).
鹰 is used to refer to hawks and functions as a general term for many different types of predatory birds.
Meaning: predatory bird of Accipitridae (noun)
Which one should you use?
While 鹰 is a broad category for hawks and many other birds of prey, you should use more specific terms when referring to certain families: use 雕 (diāo) specifically for eagles and 隼 (sǔn) specifically for falcons.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
yīng
Did you know?
- The term 鹰 is frequently used in the idiom 鹰犬 (yīng quǎn), which literally means 'hawk and dog' but is actually a derogatory term for a person acting as a henchman for a corrupt official.
- In Chinese culture, the 鹰 is often associated with power and nobility, and was historically used as a symbol of imperial authority.
- The term 鹰派 ('hawk faction') is used in Chinese politics and diplomacy to describe people who favor aggressive or hardline policies.
Examples in context
- 那只鸟的体积有半只老鹰那么大。The bird was half the size of a hawk.This sentence shows how to use 鹰 when comparing the size of birds.Tatoeba #604476 by xiuqin, translation #45010 by BraveSentry
- 那只鹰在天空中盘旋。The hawk is circling in the sky.
- 鹰的眼睛锐利而敏锐，能够迅速地发现猎物。The hawk's eyes are sharp and keen, enabling it to spot prey quickly.
- 天空中有一只鹰在飞。Tiānkōng zhōng yǒu yī zhǐ yīng zài fēi.There is a hawk flying in the sky.
- 那只鹰的眼睛非常锐利。Nà zhǐ yīng de yǎnjīng fēicháng ruìlì.That hawk's eyes are very sharp.
Example conversation
A man and a woman are watching a nature documentary together.
- 佳怡 Jiayi浩然，你看那只鹰！Hàorán, nǐ kàn nà zhǐ yīng!Haoran, look at that hawk!
- 浩然 Haoran它正在抓捕猎物。Tā zhèngzài zhuābǔ lièwù.It is capturing prey.
- 佳怡 Jiayi它的动作真快。Tā de dòngzuò zhēn kuài.Its movements are so fast.
- 浩然 Haoran是的，它非常强壮。Shì de, tā fēicháng qiángzhuàng.Yes, it is very strong.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
