How to Say
How to Write
xiāo
Radical: 木 8 strokes
Meaning: owl
💡 A bird (鸟) on a tree (木) — the owl is a 'wood bird'.
Compounds

📚 Character Story & Explanation

枭 (xiāo) meaning in English —

Archaeologically, 枭 (xiāo) depicts an owl perched on a tree (木). In ancient China, the owl was both feared as an omen of death and admired for its fierce nature. The character evolved to mean 'bold' or 'chieftain,' as in 枭雄 (xiāoxióng, 'formidable hero').

💬 Example Sentences

Common Compounds

Similar Characters — Don't Mix These Up

🏠

Your First Step into Chinese Culture: Get a Chinese Name

Every journey into Chinese begins with a name. Use our free Chinese name generator to create a meaningful, personalized Chinese name that fits you perfectly.

Get My Chinese Name →

Related Characters