母鸡

• Pinyin: mǔ jī
• Hanzi breakdown: 母 = female/mother; 鸡 = 又 (hand) + 鸟 (bird), domesticated bird. Female chicken.

Meaning

Hen; female chicken.

Specifically refers to adult female chickens, as opposed to 公鸡 (rooster). Important in farming contexts for egg production. The idiom 鸡飞蛋打 (the hen has flown and the eggs are broken) means a complete loss or failed scheme.

Examples

1. 奶奶家养了几只母鸡，每天都能捡到新鲜的鸡蛋。 Grandma raises several hens, and we can collect fresh eggs every day.
2. 母鸡咯咯地叫着，带着一群小鸡在院子里找食。 The hen clucked as she led a group of chicks around the yard looking for food.
3. 这只母鸡是我们家的明星，每天能下两个蛋。 This hen is the star of our family — she can lay two eggs a day.

Usage Guide

Context: farming, food, rural life

Tone: practical

Do Say

• 母鸡下蛋了。(The hen laid an egg.)
• 老母鸡炖汤很补。(Old hen soup is very nourishing.)

Don't Say

• 把母鸡和小鸡混淆 (母鸡 is adult hen; 小鸡 is chick)

Origin & History

Compound of 母 (female/mother) + 鸡 (chicken). Female chicken.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal