1
the + singular noun (generic reference)
定冠词the加单数名词可表示整个种类，而不仅是某一只。
The sparrow is a common small bird.
麻雀是一种常见的小鸟。
麻雀
先理解核心含义，再看它在真实句子里的用法。
麻雀
a small, dull-colored songbird that feeds on seeds and insects
The sparrow is a common small bird.
麻雀是一种常见的小鸟。
家麻雀,一种喙短、羽色褐白灰相间的小鸟
The house sparrow, Passer domesticus; a small bird with a short bill, and brown, white and gray feathers.
几种小型暗色鸣禽,以种子或昆虫为食
any of several small dull-colored singing birds feeding on seeds or insects
雀科鸟类,小型旧大陆鸣禽
A member of the family Passeridae, comprising small Old World songbirds.
小型褐色欧洲鸣禽
small brownish European songbird
A sparrow landed on the windowsill and looked for crumbs.
一只麻雀落在窗台上找面包屑。
We saw a group of sparrows singing in the hedge this morning.
今天早上我们看见一群麻雀在树篱里唱歌。
The sparrow built its nest under the roof of our shed.
那只麻雀在我们的棚屋顶下筑了巢。
定冠词the加单数名词可表示整个种类，而不仅是某一只。
The sparrow is a common small bird.
麻雀是一种常见的小鸟。
不定冠词a表示任意一只麻雀，常译作'一只'。
A sparrow was hopping around the garden.
一只麻雀在花园里跳来跳去。
复数形式sparrows不加冠词，用于泛指麻雀这类鸟。注意复数的拼写变化。
Sparrows often gather in large flocks.
麻雀常常成群聚集。
Not this
There are many sparrow in the park.
Use this
There are many sparrows in the park.
“sparrow” 是可数名词，“many” 后必须接复数形式，所以要用 “sparrows”，不能用单数。“many” 不能直接修饰单数可数名词。
Not this
Sparrow is a small wild bird.
Use this
A sparrow is a small wild bird.
“sparrow” 是单数可数名词，作主语时不能没有冠词或限定词；表示泛指一类鸟时要用 “A sparrow” 或 “Sparrows”，不能直接用 “Sparrow” 作主语。
Focus on the distinctions below. Other candidates are kept compact until a reliable usage note is available.
家麻雀
A house sparrow often nests under the eaves.
家麻雀经常在屋檐下筑巢。
树麻雀
A tree sparrow was hopping on the ground.
一只树麻雀在地上跳来跳去。
一群麻雀
A flock of sparrows gathered in the park.
一群麻雀聚集在公园里。
麻雀叽叽喳喳叫
The garden is full of sparrows chirping in the morning.
早晨花园里满是叽叽喳喳叫的麻雀。
麻雀种群
The sparrow population has declined in cities.
城市中的麻雀种群数量已经下降。
（幽默、口语）清晨，天刚亮
We had to get up at sparrow's fart to catch the early flight.
我们不得不一大清早就起床去赶早班飞机。
吃得极少
My grandma eats like a sparrow, so she never finishes a full plate.
我奶奶吃得极少，所以从来吃不完一整盘饭菜。
（旧、口语）好斗的小个子男人
The new coach is a bit of a cock sparrow, always shouting at the players.
新教练有点像那种好斗的小个子男人，总是对球员大喊大叫。
两个麻雀不是卖一分银子吗？若是你们的父不许，一个也不能掉在地上。
From the Bible (Matthew 10:29), it reminds believers that God watches over even the smallest creatures.
出自《马太福音》10:29，提醒信徒上帝连最微小的受造物都看顾。
我歌唱因为快乐，我歌唱因为自由；他的眼看顾麻雀，我知道他眷顾我。
Lyric from the gospel hymn 'His Eye Is on the Sparrow,' expressing faith and comfort.
出自福音歌曲《他眼看顾麻雀》，表达信心与安慰。
Use sparrow naturally, then get feedback on meaning, tone, grammar, and phrasing.
Revisit a common error or keep this word in your review list.
联想：麻雀常在电线上一排（row）站着，像在说‘spare（省着吃）’——sparrow 就是麻雀。
语域：neutral 常见场景：日常对话、观鸟活动 sparrow 是常用词，通常在中性语境中使用，日常谈论鸟类或自然时比较多见；没有明显的正式或非正式限制。
These -arrow words look like sparrow but have /æ/ instead of /ɛ/, and tomorrow has /ɑː/; none rhymes with /ˈspɛroʊ/.
Dictionary facts from ECDICT, WIKTIONARY.