Hanzi Alive!(21)

Chinese characters are like a math class in the palm of your hand - '鸟' (niǎo) is the graceful spirit with spread wings, '只' (zhī) is the delightful surprise captured in a single hand, and '双' (shuāng) is the proof of double happiness. These three characters, taught with feathers, demonstrate the romantic way Chinese people count.

鸟(niǎo)

Explanation

• The pictograph for "鸟" (bird) is quite clear. Notice the sharp beak, wings extended, and claws. '鸟' refers to a "bird."

Example

• The bird is singing in the tree.  
  鸟在树上唱歌。  
  niǎo zài shù shàng chàng gē.
• Birds can fly in the sky.  
  鸟能在天空飞翔。  
  niǎo néng zài tiān kōng fēi xiáng.

Find and circle "鸟" in the image

只(zhī)

Explanation

• The pictograph of "只" (single) depicts holding a bird in one hand. This may have originated from a question asked in ancient times - "How many birds did you catch today?" The hunter would then hold up the bird in his hand. Today, "只" is used as a unit measure word, for instance, "三只鸟" means "three birds."

Example

• This duck is quacking. 
  这只鸭子在叫。
  zhè zhī yā zi zài jiào.  
• There is a tiger. 
  那有只老虎。
  nà yǒu zhī lǎo hǔ.  

Find and circle "只" in the image

双(shuāng)

Explanation

• The symbol of two birds perched on a hand represents the character for "double." Chinese people appreciate this word and often use the phrase "good things come in pairs" or "one good thing is followed by another." Imagine a person proudly showing their friends, "Look! There is a pair of birds in my hand!" Something to be proud of!

Example

• I need a pair of shoes.  
  我需要一双鞋子。  
  wǒ xū yào yì shuāng xié zi.
• She has beautiful eyes.  
  她有一双漂亮的眼睛。  
  tā yǒu yì shuāng piào liang de yǎn jīng.

Find and circle "双" in the image

Now you have mastered this 'featherweight' formula: one bird equals "只," two birds equal "双." The next time you see a red paper with the phrase "双喜临门" (double happiness arrives), you will remember - the sweetest calculation for Chinese people is written with the wings of birds.