布穀
Chinese
to declare; to announce; to spread to declare; to announce; to spread; to make known; spread; (cotton) cloth |
grain; corn | ||
---|---|---|---|
trad. (布穀) | 布 | 穀 | |
simp. (布谷) | 布 | 谷 | |
alternative forms | 勃姑 撥穀/拨谷 |
Etymology
Phono-semantic matching of the characteristic two-note call of the cuckoos.
Literally “to spread grain” – The cuckoos' chirps are usually heard during the seed-sowing times, and their call symbolises the commencement of a new farming season.
Pronunciation
Noun
布穀
- (~鳥) cuckoo
- 臣聞布穀鳴於孟夏,蟋蟀吟於始秋。 [Literary Chinese, trad.]
- From: The Book of the Later Han, circa 5th century CE
- Chén wén bùgǔ míng yú mèngxià, xīshuài yín yú shǐqiū. [Pinyin]
- I [the subject] know that cuckoos call during the first month of summer, and crickets chirp in the early autumn.
臣闻布谷鸣于孟夏,蟋蟀吟于始秋。 [Literary Chinese, simp.]
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