Chinese word

仙鹤

Pronunciation

Pinyinxiān hè

Meaning

  • nouncrane

Example

我在公园里看见一只仙鹤。wǒ zài gōng yuán lǐ kàn jiàn yì zhī xiān hè

I saw a crane in the park.

Illustration for 仙鹤 (crane)

More examples

自然保护区里，人们可以近距离观赏仙鹤。zì rán bǎo hù qū lǐ rén men ké yǐ jìn jù lí guān shǎng xiān hè

In the nature reserve, people can watch cranes up close.

Core concept

An elegant crane treated as a sacred visitor from the world of immortals and as a sign of longevity and blessing.

Common phrases

  • 保护仙鹤bǎo hù xiān hè

    protect cranes

  • 观赏仙鹤guān shǎng xiān hè

    watch cranes

  • 仙鹤栖息地xiān hè qī xī dì

    crane habitat

Similar words

鹤hè: A tall bird with a long neck and legs that lives around water.
丹顶鹤dān dǐng hè: A large wetland crane with a red crown that is protected from harm.

Definition in Chinese

指传说中与神仙有关的鹤，常被视为长寿和吉祥的象征，也可泛指体形高大的鹤类。zhǐ chuán shuō zhōng yǔ shén xiān yǒu guān de hè cháng bèi shì wéi cháng shòu hé jí xiáng de xiàng zhēng yě kě fàn zhǐ tǐ xíng gāo dà de hè lèi

Word origin

仙 (xiān, "immortal") + 鹤 (hè, "crane") gives the ordinary bird a legendary connection with immortal beings, which explains its sacred and auspicious associations.

Usage tips

  • In conversational Chinese, this noun can sound literary or ceremonial, so it is especially natural in stories, descriptions of art, and cultural discussion rather than as a neutral wildlife label.

Other meanings

  • red-crowned cranenoun
  • sacred cranenoun

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