Meanings of 蠣
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About 蠣
Podcast: 蠣
Podcast: 蠣
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AI Study Notes for 蠣
生蚝 (shēng háo, fresh oyster) vs 蛤蜊 (gé lí, clam) — use 蠣 (lì) when specifically referring to oysters rather than clams.
When using 蠣 in conversation, it's important to note that it is more common in written Chinese and in specific culinary contexts. Avoid using it in casual conversation about seafood unless discussing dishes specifically featuring oysters. A common collocation is '生蠣' (raw oyster).
Although 蠣 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it can be related to other words about food and seafood, such as 鱼 (fish) and 虾 (shrimp). Focus on understanding the context of seafood when learning this word, as it may come up in discussions about dining.
Learners might confuse 蠣 with similar seafood characters like 鱼 (fish) or 虾 (shrimp). For example, saying '我喜欢蠣' (I like fish) is incorrect; it should be specific to oysters if that's the intended meaning.
Pronunciation of 蠣
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Etymology of 蠣
Phonosemantic compound. 虫 represents the meaning and 厉 represents the sound. Simplified form of 蠣.
mollusk
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 蠣
Phonosemantic compound. 虫 represents the meaning and 厉 represents the sound. Simplified form of 蠣.
- 1The meaning half虫 carries the sense.
- 2The sound half厲 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
- 3The giveawaymollusk
- 4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 蠣? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.Character Formation Type
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Decomposition of 蠣
Identify the Components
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How to say oyster in Chinese
“oyster” in Chinese is蠣
The character 蠣 (lì) refers to an oyster, a type of shellfish commonly found in coastal waters. Oysters are often consumed as food and are known for their unique flavor and texture. In culinary contexts, they can be served raw, cooked, or used in various dishes.
When to use 蠣
When using 蠣 in conversation, it's important to note that it is more common in written Chinese and in specific culinary contexts. Avoid using it in casual conversation about seafood unless discussing dishes specifically featuring oysters. A common collocation is '生蠣' (raw oyster).
蠣 or something close to it
生蚝 (shēng háo, fresh oyster) vs 蛤蜊 (gé lí, clam) — use 蠣 (lì) when specifically referring to oysters rather than clams.
What learners get wrong
Learners might confuse 蠣 with similar seafood characters like 鱼 (fish) or 虾 (shrimp). For example, saying '我喜欢蠣' (I like fish) is incorrect; it should be specific to oysters if that's the intended meaning.
Write 蠣
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Practice writing 蠣 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Cultural Notes for 蠣
In Western cultures, oysters are often celebrated as a luxury food item, commonly served at upscale restaurants or during special events, whereas in China, they are also popular but may be more commonly enjoyed in casual dining settings.
Word Family of 蠣
Compound Meaning
What does 牡蛎 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 蠣
It is pronounced as 'lì'.
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