local chicken; hen; cowardly
Meanings
3 senses · 7 examplesnoun
local/native breed of chicken
Refers to chickens of local breeds raised in free-range or traditional conditions, as opposed to imported or industrial hybrid breeds. Often prized for meat texture and flavor.
This free-range local chicken was raised on the mountain, and its meat is especially firm.
Our farm specializes in raising local chickens, and the eggs they lay are especially flavorful.
noun
hen (female chicken)
dialectUsed in some northern Chinese dialects (e.g., Shandong, Hebei) to refer specifically to a hen, often implying a laying hen.
This hen lays one egg every day.
Several hens were raised in the yard, clucking incessantly.
adjective
cowardly; timid; chicken-hearted
dialectMetaphorical use in northern dialects (especially Shandong and Northeastern Mandarin), comparing a timid person to a frightened chicken. Often used in the phrase '草鸡了' meaning 'chickened out' or 'lost one's nerve'.
As soon as trouble arises, he chickens out and dares not charge forward.
Don't be chicken; be brave!
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At first he was quite tough, but after seeing the situation, he chickened out.