天鹅

• Pinyin: tiān é
• Hanzi breakdown: 天 = 一 + 大 — heaven; 鹅 = 我 (phonetic) + 鸟 (bird) — goose

Meaning

Swan. A large aquatic bird with a long neck, known for elegance and grace.

Swans symbolize elegance, purity, and fidelity in Chinese culture. Often associated with ballet and romance. The phrase 癞蛤蟆想吃天鹅肉 (a toad lusting after swan meat) describes someone with unrealistic aspirations above their station.

Examples

1. 湖面上有几只白天鹅在悠闲地游动，优雅极了。 Several white swans were gliding leisurely on the lake — so elegant.
2. 天鹅湖是世界上最著名的芭蕾舞剧之一。 Swan Lake is one of the most famous ballets in the world.
3. 小时候她总被人嘲笑是丑小鸭，没想到长大后变成了白天鹅。 As a child, she was always mocked as an ugly duckling, but who knew she'd transform into a beautiful swan when she grew up.

Usage Guide

Context: nature, arts, figurative

Tone: elegant

Do Say

• 那只天鹅真漂亮。(That swan is really beautiful.)
• 她跳天鹅湖。(She performs Swan Lake.)

Don't Say

• 把普通白鹅叫'天鹅' (Don't call an ordinary white goose a 天鹅 — swans are a distinct species)

Origin & History

天 means heaven/sky, 鹅 means goose — a heavenly goose, referring to the graceful swan.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal