áo

璈

Character · Noun · AdjectiveTraditional鼇

ancient large musical instrument; giant sea turtle; immense

Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma

Meanings

3 senses · 6 examples
1.

noun

an ancient large drum-like musical instrument

archaic

A rare, archaic term. Primarily found in historical or literary texts referring to ancient music.

Gǔ古
jí籍
zhōng中
jì记
zǎi载
le了
yī一
zhǒng种
míng名
wéi为
áo鼇
de的
yuè乐
qì器
 。

Ancient texts record a musical instrument named 'Áo'.

Jì祭
sì祀
yí仪
shì式
shàng上
kě可
néng能
huì会
yǎn演
zòu奏
áo鼇
 。

The Áo might have been played during sacrificial ceremonies.

2.

noun

Ao; a mythical giant sea turtle

literary

Often used in mythological contexts, such as in the legend of the giant turtle (鳌) supporting the world or in place names like '鳌头' (first place in imperial examinations).

dú独
zhàn占
áo鳌
tóu头

to come out first; to be the champion

Chuán传
shuō说
jù巨
áo鼇
bēi背
fù负
zhe着
xiān仙
shān山
 。

Legend says a giant turtle carries immortal mountains on its back.

3.

adjective

immense; huge

literary

Derived from the image of the giant turtle, used to describe something of enormous size or scale.

áo鼇
zú足

huge foot; immense foundation

áo鼇
lì立
 （
 形
 容
 矗
 立
 如
 山
 ）

to stand towering like a giant