雕 diāo to carve
to carve; to engrave; eagle; vulture; bird of prey
How to remember 雕: 周 week + 隹 pigeon = to carve. For a whole week grandpa watches the pigeons on his balcony, then takes a block of wood and starts to carve one.
Component breakdown
雕 = 周 week + 隹 pigeon
- 周 week
- ⺆ outer limits
- 𠮷 foul mouth
- 隹 pigeon
For a whole week grandpa watches the pigeons on his balcony, then takes a block of wood and starts to carve one.
How it is used
- To carve/sculpt: 雕刻 (diāokè) to carve, 雕塑 (diāosù) sculpture, 雕像 (diāoxiàng) a statue.
- 雕琢 (diāozhuó) means to carve and polish, figuratively to refine writing - but 过分雕琢 = overwrought.
- Separately 雕 also names a bird of prey, the eagle/vulture, as in 一箭双雕 (yíjiàn-shuāngdiāo) 'two eagles with one arrow' = kill two birds with one stone.