鸽子

• Pinyin: gē zi
• Hanzi breakdown: 鸽 = 合 (join together — homing instinct) + 鸟 (bird); 子 = common diminutive suffix for animals

Meaning

Pigeon; dove. A bird of the family Columbidae, widely associated with peace, messages, and urban life.

Pigeons are a common sight in Chinese city squares and parks. White doves symbolise peace and are released at important ceremonies. Historically used to carry messages. In modern slang, 放鸽子 means to stand someone up or break a promise.

Examples

1. 广场上聚集着成群的鸽子，游客纷纷撒面包屑吸引它们靠近。 A flock of pigeons gathered in the square, and tourists scattered bread crumbs to lure them closer.
2. 古代军队曾利用训练有素的鸽子传递紧急军情，效率远超人力送信。 In ancient times, armies used well-trained pigeons to deliver urgent military messages, far more efficiently than relying on human couriers.
3. 仪式上放飞的白色鸽子象征着对和平的深切渴望与美好期盼。 The white pigeons released at the ceremony symbolized a deep longing for peace and hope for a better future.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, nature, symbolism, history

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 公园里的鸽子已经习惯了游人投食，见到人走近便会主动凑上来。(The pigeons in the park are accustomed to being fed by visitors and will approach on their own when they see people nearby.)
• 他答应好要来的，结果放了我鸽子，连个消息都没有。(He had promised to come, but then stood me up — not even a message.)

Don't Say

• 鸽子是一种老鹰 — 鸽子 (pigeon/dove) and 老鹰 (eagle) are entirely different birds; never confuse them

Origin & History

鸽 = 合 + 鸟 (pigeon/dove — the bird that 'comes home'); 子 = diminutive/common noun suffix

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal