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March 24, 2026
渔(漁)yú(yu2)
The character 渔 (yú) primarily refers to fishing or the act of catching fish. It can denote a fisherman, someone who engages in this activity, or it can be used in broader contexts involving the pursuit or seizing of something, metaphorically speaking. It is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts relating to aquatic activities.
Strokes11Radical氵Frequency#20347DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
Fishing has deep roots in Chinese culture, often depicted in traditional art and poetry. The act of fishing not only provides sustenance but is also associated with tranquility and philosophical reflection, as seen in works like Laozi's writings.
Memory Tip
Picture a fisherman (渔) casting his net into the water. The left component '氵' (water) suggests the aquatic environment, while the right component '余' sounds like 'yú'—imagine he is saying 'You!' to the fish. This imagery of fishing evokes both the action and the pronunciation.
Meanings of 渔
yú(yu2)
1fisherman
2to fish
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 渔
渔Simplified
漁Traditional
11Strokes
氵Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#20347Frequency Rank
Podcast: 渔
Podcast: 渔
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AI Study Notes for 渔
Quick Contrast
捕鱼 (bǔyú, catch fish) vs 渔猎 (yúliè, fishing and hunting) — choose 渔 when focusing specifically on fishing activities, while 捕鱼 emphasizes the act of catching.
Memory Mnemonic
Picture a fisherman (渔) casting his net into the water. The left component '氵' (water) suggests the aquatic environment, while the right component '余' sounds like 'yú'—imagine he is saying 'You!' to the fish. This imagery of fishing evokes both the action and the pronunciation.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 渔 with similar characters, such as 鱼 (yú), which simply means 'fish.' It is more commonly used in informal contexts but can appear in formal discussions about fishing practices or policies. Common collocations include 渔民 (yúmín, fisherman) and 渔业 (yúyè, fishing industry).
HSK Study Tips
Although 渔 is not an HSK level word, it connects well with HSK vocabulary related to nature and professions. Students should focus on its pronunciation and usage in context, especially with terms related to water and animals.
Cultural Note
Fishing has deep roots in Chinese culture, often depicted in traditional art and poetry. The act of fishing not only provides sustenance but is also associated with tranquility and philosophical reflection, as seen in works like Laozi's writings.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 渔 with 鱼, mistakenly using 渔 when they simply mean 'fish.' For instance, saying 渔 is swimming instead of 鱼 is swimming is incorrect; the correct phrase is 鱼在游泳 (Yú zài yóuyǒng).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 渔
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Grammar Patterns of 渔
渔 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 3 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Fishing has deep roots in Chinese culture, often depicted in traditional art and poetry. The act of fishing not only provides sustenance but is also associated with tranquility and philosophical reflection, as seen in works like Laozi's writings.
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
In Western cultures, fishing is often seen as a sport or recreational activity, while in China, it is also a significant source of livelihood and cultural practice.
Word Family of 渔
Words Containing This Character20
渔夫fisherman漁夫
渔船yúchuánfishing boat漁船
渔yúfisherman漁
渔民yúmínfisherman漁民
渔业fishery漁業
渔具fishing gear漁具
渔网fishing net漁網
渔场fishing ground漁場
渔港fishing port漁港
渔猎fig. to loot漁獵
坐收渔利benefit from others' dispute (idiom)坐收漁利
渔人fisherman漁人
禁渔ban on fishing禁漁
渔阳old place name (in Yan of Warring states, in modern Beijing city)漁陽
渔轮fishing vessel漁輪
竭泽而渔lit. to drain the pond to get at the fish (idiom)竭澤而漁
渔汛fishing season漁汛
渔捞fishing (as a commercial activity)漁撈
渔鼓percussion instrument in the form of a bamboo fish (traditionally used by Daoist priests)漁鼓
涸泽而渔lit. to drain the pond to get at the fish (idiom)涸澤而漁
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 渔夫 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 渔
You can say 渔民在河里捕鱼 (Yúmín zài hé lǐ bǔ yú), which means 'The fishermen are fishing in the river.'
渔 refers to the act of fishing or the fishermen, while 鱼 simply means 'fish.'
Yes, 渔 can be used in formal contexts, especially in discussions about fishing policies or industries.
