zin1鸇鹯
Jyutpingzin1
Yalejīn
Definition
Sparrowhawk; a kind of bird of prey similar to a hawk.
writtenanimalsnature
How it's used
This term is primarily used in formal or literary contexts rather than daily conversation. Most native speakers prefer using general terms like 老鷹 or 鷹 to describe birds of prey unless they are specifically identifying the species. It is rarely encountered outside of nature documentaries or written descriptions of wildlife.
Measure word
zek3隻jekExamples
That sparrow hawk is looking at the birds from up in the tree.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with more common bird names, leading to confusion when used in casual settings where it sounds overly academic or archaic. It is not a word you would use to describe a generic bird seen in the city.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
