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鯪 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
língcarpzg, 19 strokes, radical 魚, Very Hard
líng(ling2) T2
  1. 1carp
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
líng(ling2)

The character 鯪 (líng) refers specifically to a type of fish known as 'carp.' This fish is commonly found in rivers and ponds and is significant in Chinese cuisine and culture, often associated with abundance and prosperity. In many contexts, it is used in culinary discussions or when talking about fishing.

Strokes19RadicalFrequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, carp are often symbols of perseverance and success, particularly during the Dragon Boat Festival, where dishes featuring carp may be served. This connection enhances the significance of the character in culinary traditions.

Memory Tip

Imagine a carp swimming in a pond, its body shimmering like a 'lingering' memory of abundance. The character 鯪 has the radical for fish (魚) at the bottom, which helps remind you that it relates to a type of fish, while the top part hints at its unique qualities.

Meanings of 鯪

líng(ling2)
1carp
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 鯪

Simplified
19Strokes
Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 鯪

JasonAmy

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AI Study Notes for 鯪

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a carp swimming in a pond, its body shimmering like a 'lingering' memory of abundance. The character 鯪 has the radical for fish (魚) at the bottom, which helps remind you that it relates to a type of fish, while the top part hints at its unique qualities.

Usage Notes

Learners often confuse 鯪 with other fish-related characters. Remember, 鯪 specifically refers to carp, which can be different from other fish like 魚 (yú) which is the general term for fish. This word is more formal and specific, typically used in discussions about cuisine or aquaculture.

HSK Study Tips

While 鯪 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it connects with other HSK words related to food and nature. Students should focus on understanding fish-related vocabulary when learning culinary terms and practice pronunciation to avoid confusing it with similar-sounding words.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, carp are often symbols of perseverance and success, particularly during the Dragon Boat Festival, where dishes featuring carp may be served. This connection enhances the significance of the character in culinary traditions.

Common Mistakes

Learners often mistakenly use 鯪 interchangeably with 魚 (yú), the general term for fish. Remember, 鯪 specifically refers to carp, so use it when you are talking about this particular type of fish.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 鯪

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Etymology of 鯪

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Memory Hint

fish

Semantic (meaning)
+
Phonetic (sound)
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 鯪?

Decomposition of 鯪

IDS Structure⿰魚夌
Full Character
=
yu2
left
ling2
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 鯪?

Write 鯪

Practice writing stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Cultural Notes for 鯪

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, carp are often symbols of perseverance and success, particularly during the Dragon Boat Festival, where dishes featuring carp may be served. This connection enhances the significance of the character in culinary traditions.

Word Family of 鯪

Words Containing This Character4
鲮鱼mud carp (Cirrhina molitorella)鯪魚
língmud carp (Cirrhina molitorella)
土鲮鱼mud carp (Cirrhina molitorella)土鯪魚
鲮鲤scaly ant-eater鯪鯉
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 鲮鱼 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 鯪

It means 'carp,' a type of fish commonly found in Chinese waters and cuisine.