渡鴉 / 渡鸦
dùyā
The English word "raven" is translated into Chinese as 渡鴉 / 渡鸦 (dùyā). If unsure, use 渡鴉 / 渡鸦. Wiktionary also lists 烏鴉 / 乌鸦 (wūyā).
Meaning: any of several, generally large, species of birds in the genus Corvus with lustrous black plumage (noun)
Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 渡鴉 / 渡鸦 | dùyā |
| 烏鴉 / 乌鸦 | wūyā |
In Chinese, you can describe birds in the genus Corvus using different terms depending on whether you want to be scientifically precise or use common everyday language.
What does it mean word for word?
The term 烏鴉 / 乌鸦 is composed of 烏 (wū), meaning 'black' or 'dark' and 鴉 (yā), meaning 'crow'.
Which one should you use?
渡鴉 / 渡鸦 (dùyā) is the specific or scientific term used to refer to the genus Corvus (ravens). In contrast, 烏鴉 / 乌鸦 (wūyā) is a more general and colloquial term often used to refer to crows or any black bird within the corvid family.
How do you pronounce it?
dùyā
When do people say it?
In many Chinese-speaking cultures, the common term 烏鴉 / 乌鸦 is often associated with bad luck or an ill omen because of its harsh call and black color.
Did you know?
- In Chinese mythology, the 三足烏 (sān zú wū) is a three-legged raven that inhabits the sun, serving as a symbol of imperial power.
- Someone who constantly predicts negative outcomes is described as having a 烏鴉嘴 (wūyā zuǐ), or a 'crow mouth'.
- The ancient form of the character 烏 (wū) was a pictograph designed to look like a bird with a visible beak and tail.
Example sentences for Chinese are not verified yet.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “raven” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
