鸽子
gēzi
The Chinese word for pigeon is 鸽子 (gēzi).
鸽子 is the most common and widely understood term for a pigeon. While 鸽子 refers to the bird in general, you can use more specific terms like 信鸽 to refer specifically to carrier pigeons or homing pigeons or 爱鸽人 to describe a pigeon enthusiast who loves and raises them.
Meaning: bird of the dove and pigeon family Columbidae (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word 鸽子 consists of the noun 鸽, which means pigeon and the noun suffix 子.
Which one should you use?
The single character 鸽 can be used in poetic contexts or as part of compound words, but 鸽子 is the standard way to refer to the bird in common speech.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word 鸽子 is composed of the noun 鸽 and the noun suffix 子.
How do you pronounce it?
gēzi
Did you know?
- In modern Chinese internet slang, the verb 鸽 is used to describe 'flaking' or breaking a promise to meet. This comes from the idea of a carrier pigeon failing to deliver a message or a creator delaying a promised project.
- The expression 放鸽子 means 'to stand someone up' on a date or a meeting. It literally translates to 'releasing a pigeon'.
- Someone who consistently misses appointments is called a 鸽王, which literally translates to 'Pigeon King'.
Examples in context
- 他养了许多鸽子。He breeds many pigeons.
- 比赛结束后, 信鸽将带回重要的消息。After the competition, the homing pigeon will bring back important news.
- 他是个真正的爱鸽人He is a true pigeon enthusiast.
- 广场上有许多鸽子。guǎng chǎng shàng yǒu xǔ duō gē zi.There are many pigeons in the square.
- 那只鸽子很漂亮。nà zhī gē zi hěn piào liang.That pigeon is very beautiful.
- 我不喜欢喂鸽子。wǒ bù xǐ huan wèi gē zi.I don't like feeding pigeons.
Example conversation
A man and a woman are walking in a public park.
- 梓涵 Zihan看，那里有很多鸽子！kàn, nà lǐ yǒu hěn duō gē zi!Look, there are many pigeons over there!
- 伟 Wei它们看起来很可爱。tā men kàn qǐ lái hěn kě ai.They look very cute.
- 梓涵 Zihan你想喂它们吗？nǐ xiǎng wèi tā men ma?Do you want to feed them?
- 伟 Wei我不喜欢，怕弄脏衣服。wǒ bù xǐ huan, pà nòng zāng yī fu.I don't like to, I'm afraid of getting my clothes dirty.
