Level 1 · Unit 6 Animals, Plants & Food

How to Write 鸟 (niǎo)

Meaning: "Bird"
Step-by-Step Stroke Order Diagram
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Detailed Mastery Guide for 鸟

The character 鸟 (Traditional: 鳥) is a fundamental part of the Chinese language, representing "Bird". In our Level 1 curriculum, we focus on the 11-step stroke sequence to ensure your handwriting is both fast and accurate.

Writing & Recognition

Proper stroke order is essential for character recognition and legibility. By following the animation above, you can see how the character is built from top to bottom and left to right. This character is often categorized under Animals, Plants & Food, making it a versatile addition to your vocabulary.

Key Vocabulary

鸟类 niǎolèi niu5 leoi6
birds (as a class)
候鸟 hòuniǎo hau6 niu5
migratory bird

Radical Breakdown

Breaking it down: The character 鸟 is built on the radical 鸟 (196). Understanding radicals like this is a proven technique for accelerating vocabulary acquisition.

Etymology & Origins

A pictograph showing a bird with a head, wing, and tail.

Example Sentence

Simplified: 天空中有一只小鸟在飞。

tiānkōng zhōng yǒu yī zhī xiǎoniǎo zài fēi.

Traditional: 天空中有一隻小鳥在飛。

tin1 hung1 zung1 jau5 jat1 zek3 siu2 niu5 zoi6 fei1.

"There is a little bird flying in the sky."

Dialect Pronunciation

In Mandarin, this character is pronounced as niǎo. If you are learning Cantonese, the pronunciation is niu5. Use the audio buttons to hear the subtle tonal differences between the two major Chinese dialects.

Practice & Retention

To move this character from short-term to long-term memory, we recommend using our free practice sheet generator. Writing the character 10-15 times while following the correct sequence is a proven method for mastery.

Quick Self-Check

What is the meaning of '鸟'?

A) Bird
B) Fish
C) Tree
D) Cloud

Other Characters in Level 1 Unit 6

Hope this tool helps your Chinese learning journey!

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