How to write 鹤

鹤 hè 【名】 1. A genus of birds characterized by a white or gray color, living by water, feeding on fish, insects, or plants. Example: 鹤立 (hè lì - like a crane standing). 鹤发 (hè fà - white hair like a crane's feather). 鹤寿 (hè shòu - longevity like a crane). 鹤驾 (hè jià - the carriage of a crane). 鹤长凫短 (hè cháng fú duǎn - cranes are tall, ducks are short). 2. (形声。从鸟，隺(hè)声。本义:鹤科各种类鸟的统称，皆为大型涉禽) The general term for various species of the crane family, which are all large wading birds, similar in shape to herons but structurally closer to rails; usually larger than herons. Unlike herons, they have split skulls, denser plumage, partially bald heads, a blunter beak with larger nostrils close to the center, and raised hind toes. 【引】 1. From "广韵": 鹤，似鹄长喙 (The crane has a long beak like a swan). 2. From "诗·小雅·鹤鸣": 鹤鸣于九皋 (The cranes call out at the nine marshes). 3. From "楚辞·刘向·九叹·远游": 腾群鹤于瑶光 (Soaring cranes in the jade light). 【例】 - 鹤音 (hè yīn - the sound of cranes) - 鹤侣 (hè lǚ - partners of cranes) - 鹤唳 (hè lì - crane's call) - 鹤胫 (hè jìng - the shank of a crane) - 鹤语 (hè yǔ - the speech of cranes) 【形】 Metaphor for white (white). 【例】 如: 鹤发 (hè fà - white hair, hair white like crane feathers) 鹤素 (hè sù - white crane) 鹤首 (hè shǒu - white head) 鹤发松姿 (hè fà sōng zī - white-haired and relaxed posture. Describing someone who, despite being old, remains vigorous).