wù

鹜

Character · NounTraditional鶩

duck (literary)

Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma

Meanings

1 sense · 2 examples
1.

noun

duck (in literary or classical Chinese)

literary

This is a literary term found mainly in classical texts and set phrases. In modern Mandarin, 鸭子 (yāzi) is used instead. The most common modern usage is in the idiom 趋之若鹜.

qū趋
zhī之
ruò若
wù鹜

To flock to something like ducks (describing people rushing to pursue something, often unworthy)

Jiā家
yǎng养
shù数
wù鹜
 ，
yóu游
yú于
chí池
zhōng中
 。

He raised several ducks at home, swimming in the pond. (literary style)