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鯷 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
鯷tíanchovyzg, 20 strokes, radical 魚
tí(ti2)ti T2
  1. 1anchovy
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March 24, 2026

鯷tí(ti2)

The character 鯷 (tí) refers to anchovy, a small fish commonly used in Asian cuisine for its strong flavor. It is often used in sauces and dishes, particularly in Southern China, to add umami. The term can also be used more broadly to describe similar small fish in culinary contexts.

Strokes20Radical魚
Cultural note

In Chinese cuisine, anchovies are valued for their strong flavor and are often used in sauces like fish sauce. They play a crucial role in dishes that require a rich umami taste, highlighting the importance of seafood in Chinese culinary traditions.

Memory tip

Imagine a tiny fish swimming in the sea, its name 'tí' sounding like 'tea'—a drink that complements many dishes. The character 鯷 has the fish radical 魚, reminding you that it relates to seafood.

Meanings of 鯷

tí(ti2)
1anchovy
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

Play it, then pick what 鯷 means.

About 鯷

鯷Simplified
20Strokes
魚Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 鯷

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Podcast: 鯷

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AI study notes for 鯷

Usage Notes

When using 鯷, it is important to know that it typically appears in culinary contexts. Learners might confuse it with other fish names, so be sure to use it specifically for anchovy. It is informal, and you might often hear it in cooking shows or markets.

HSK Study Tips

Although 鯷 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it relates to the broader category of seafood and food-related terms. Students should focus on related words like 魚 (fish) and 海鮮 (seafood) to build a stronger culinary vocabulary.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 鯷 with other similar fish names, such as 鮪 (tuna) or 鱈 (cod). Ensure you're using 鯷 specifically for anchovy to avoid misunderstandings.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 鯷

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Etymology of 鯷

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

fish

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

Origin

鯷 = 魚 + 是. What kind of character does that make it?

Decomposition of 鯷

IDS Structure⿰魚是
鯷Full character
=
魚yu2
left
是shi4
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 鯷?

How to say anchovy in Chinese

“anchovy” in Chinese is鯷tí

The character 鯷 (tí) refers to anchovy, a small fish commonly used in Asian cuisine for its strong flavor. It is often used in sauces and dishes, particularly in Southern China, to add umami. The term can also be used more broadly to describe similar small fish in culinary contexts.

When to use 鯷

When using 鯷, it is important to know that it typically appears in culinary contexts. Learners might confuse it with other fish names, so be sure to use it specifically for anchovy. It is informal, and you might often hear it in cooking shows or markets.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 鯷 with other similar fish names, such as 鮪 (tuna) or 鱈 (cod). Ensure you're using 鯷 specifically for anchovy to avoid misunderstandings.

Write 鯷

鯷

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

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Cultural Notes for 鯷

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

In Western cuisine, anchovies are often used in Mediterranean dishes, but they may not be as central to flavoring as in some Chinese dishes, where they are a staple.

Word Family of 鯷

Words containing this character1
鳀tíanchovy鯷
Exercise 1 of 1

Characters with 鯷

What does 鳀 mean?

Frequently asked questions about 鯷

Dishes like stir-fries, sauces, and soups often incorporate 鯷 for added flavor.

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