Definition
枭 is a literary term for a type of owl (specifically the scops owl or horned owl), but it is not the everyday word for 'owl' in modern Chinese (that's 猫头鹰). You'll encounter it in classical texts, idioms, and as a component in words like 枭雄 (a fierce and ambitious person). Because the English gloss 'owl' alone would lead you to use 猫头鹰 in conversation, be aware that 枭 carries a more archaic or poetic register.
n.
(literary) owlespecially the scops owl or horned owl
Examples
- ，枭。Zài gǔdài wénxué zhōng, xiāo cháng bèi yòng lái xiàngzhēng bùxiáng zhī zhào.In ancient literature, the owl was often used to symbolize an ill omen.
- 枭。Zhè zhǒng xiāo de jiàoshēng zài yèwǎn tīng qǐlái géwài qīlì.The cry of this owl sounds especially piercing at night.
- 枭鸮，枭。xiāo yǔ māotóuyīng suī tóng shǔ xiāoxíngmù, dàn xiāo tǐxíng jiào xiǎo.Although the scops owl and the common owl both belong to the order Strigiformes, the scops owl is smaller in body size.
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