燕子

yàn zi

CL 只 zhǐ 群 qún

HSK 3.0 Level 7 Noun Rare

Definitions

1. swallow

Word relationships

Related words

4 items

• 鸟类 niǎo lèi 鸟类 niǎo lèi birds 燕子是一种鸟类: birds
• 飞行 fēi xíng 飞行 fēi xíng (of planes etc) to fly 燕子的飞行很优雅: (of planes etc) to fly
• 迁徙 qiān xǐ 迁徙 qiān xǐ to migrate 燕子是一种迁徙的鸟: to migrate
• 候鸟 hòu niǎo 候鸟 hòu niǎo migratory bird 燕子是候鸟: migratory bird

Usage notes

Common mistakes

‘燕子’ refers specifically to swallows (Hirundinidae), not swiftlets or other similar birds. Do not confuse with ‘雨燕’ (swift).

Cultural notes

In Chinese culture, swallows symbolize spring and good fortune. The idiom ‘燕雀安知鸿鹄之志’ uses swallow imagery to contrast with noble ambition.

Example Sentences

2 shown

燕子 低飞是下雨的预兆。

Swallows flying low is an omen of rain.

燕子 在迁移。

Source: Tatoeba.org (ID 9958134)

Sentence data courtesy of Tatoeba.org. AI-generated examples are marked with this icon.

Words Containing 燕子

• 燕子衔泥垒大窝 燕子衔泥垒大窝 yàn zi xián ní lěi dà wō: the swallow's nest is built one beakful of mud at a time (idiom)

Child Words of 燕子

• 子 子 zǐ: son