Learn a Chinese Character - 鸽

1. Character Basics

Radical: 鸟 (niǎo, bird)

Stroke Count: 11

Structure: The character consists of the radical "鸟" (bird) on the right and "合" (hé, to close) on the left, representing a type of bird.

Stroke Order:

2. Pronunciation

Pinyin: Gē (First tone)

3. Meaning

Core Meaning: Pigeon; dove

The character "鸽" specifically refers to pigeons and doves, which are birds known for their gentle nature and homing abilities. In Chinese, pigeons have symbolized peace and friendship for centuries.

4. Common Words

• 鸽子 (gēzi) - pigeon; dove

  Example: 广场上有很多鸽子。(Guǎngchǎng shàng yǒu hěn duō gēzi.) - There are many pigeons in the square.

• 信鸽 (xìngē) - homing pigeon; carrier pigeon

  Example: 在古代，人们用信鸽传递消息。(Zài gǔdài, rénmen yòng xìngē chuándì xiāoxi.) - In ancient times, people used carrier pigeons to deliver messages.

• 和平鸽 (hépínggē) - peace dove

  Example: 和平鸽是和平的象征。(Hépínggē shì hépíng de xiàngzhēng.) - The peace dove is a symbol of peace.

• 赛鸽 (sàigē) - racing pigeon

  Example: 他养了很多赛鸽参加比赛。(Tā yǎngle hěn duō sàigē cānjiā bǐsài.) - He raises many racing pigeons to participate in competitions.

• 野鸽 (yěgē) - wild pigeon; rock dove

  Example: 我们在山上看到了一些野鸽。(Wǒmen zài shān shàng kàndàole yīxiē yěgē.) - We saw some wild pigeons on the mountain.

5. Grammar & Usage

Part of Speech: Noun

Usage Patterns:

• Typically used in compound words rather than alone
• Often appears in the form of "鸽子" (gēzi) rather than the single character "鸽"
• Can be modified by adjectives to describe different types of pigeons
• Used in both formal and informal contexts when referring to these birds

Common Collocations:

• 养鸽子 (yǎng gēzi) - to raise pigeons
• 放鸽子 (fàng gēzi) - to release pigeons; to stand someone up (colloquial)
• 鸽子窝 (gēziwō) - pigeon nest

6. Cultural Background

Pigeons have played an important role in Chinese culture for thousands of years, symbolizing various cultural meanings and practical uses.

Historical Significance: In ancient China, pigeons were valued for their homing abilities and were used as messengers in military and civilian communications.

Cultural Symbolism: Pigeons, especially white doves, have long been symbols of peace, friendship, and good fortune in Chinese culture. They are often featured in traditional art and literature.

Modern Relevance: Today, pigeon racing remains a popular hobby in many parts of China, with organized competitions and a dedicated community of enthusiasts.

7. Example Sentence

8. Memory Tips

1. Component Analysis: The character "鸽" is made up of "合" (hé, to close) on the left and "鸟" (niǎo, bird) on the right. Remember that characters with the "鸟" radical are related to birds.

2. Visual Association: Imagine a bird with its wings closed (合), which looks like a pigeon with folded wings.

3. Word Family: Learn "鸽" together with its most common compound words:

• 鸽子 (gēzi) - pigeon
• 信鸽 (xìngē) - homing pigeon
• 和平鸽 (hépínggē) - peace dove

4. Memory Phrase: "合鸟为鸽，和平使者" (Hé niǎo wéi gē, hépíng shǐzhě) - "合 plus 鸟 makes 鸽, the messenger of peace."