枭
owl; brave; chieftain; smuggler; display severed head
Meanings
5 senses · 12 examplesnoun
owl; bird of prey (same as 鸮)
Refers to nocturnal birds of prey, often considered ominous in traditional Chinese culture.
The night owl let out a mournful cry in the ancient tree.
Ancient people considered owls to be an ominous sign.
adjective
brave; fierce; valiant; intrepid
literaryLiterary usage, often describing military commanders or troops.
This valiant general led three thousand elite troops to crush the enemy.
The fierce cavalry charged forth with unstoppable momentum.
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Called a 'xiao xiong,' referring to a formidable and outstanding figure.
noun
chieftain; leader; head (esp. of criminal groups)
Often used for leaders of illegal operations, such as drug lords.
The police finally arrested this major drug lord.
He is the chieftain of this smuggling ring.
noun
salt smuggler (historical)
archaicRefers to illegal salt traders during imperial times when salt was a government monopoly.
Salt smugglers were active in the Jianghuai region during the Qing Dynasty.
Private smugglers ran rampant, and the authorities repeatedly failed to stop them.
verb
to hang up; to display (a decapitated head as warning)
literaryRefers to the ancient practice of displaying executed criminals' heads as a public warning.
After the criminal was executed, his head was displayed to the public.
Ancient times had the punishment of hanging heads at the city gate.
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Displayed for three days as a warning to others.