chī
鸱
sparrow hawk; kite; legendary bird
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesnoun
sparrow hawk; kite (bird of prey); a type of eagle or hawk as recorded in ancient texts
literaryLiterary and archaic term for a bird of prey. Most commonly encountered in classical Chinese literature, historical texts, idioms, and compounds like '鸱鸮' (owl) or '鸱尾' (a type of roof ornament). In modern language, it is not used for common birds but retains a classical/literary flavor.
Gǔ古
shū书
jì记
zǎi载
，
chī鸱
shì是
yī一
zhǒng种
měng猛
qín禽
。
Ancient texts record that the 'chī' is a bird of prey.
《
Shī诗
Jīng经
》
lǐ里
yǒu有
'
chī鸱
xiāo鸮
chī鸱
xiāo鸮
，
jì既
qǔ取
wǒ我
zǐ子
，
wú无
huǐ毁
wǒ我
shì室
'
de的
shī诗
jù句
。
The 'Book of Songs' contains the line, 'Owl, owl, you have taken my young ones, do not destroy my nest.'
Show 1 more exampleShow fewer examples
Gǔ古
dài代
jiàn建
zhù筑
wū屋
jǐ脊
liǎng两
duān端
cháng常
yǒu有
chī鸱
wěn吻
de的
zhuāng装
shì饰
。
Ancient buildings often had ornamental 'chīwěn' (roof ridge ornaments) at both ends of the roof ridge.