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鱿 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
鱿yóucuttlefishn, 12 strokes, radical 鱼, rank #48972, Very Hard
yóu(you2) T2
  1. 1cuttlefish
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
鱿(魷)yóu(you2)

The character 鱿 (yóu) refers to cuttlefish, a type of cephalopod commonly found in oceans. It is often used in culinary contexts, particularly in Asian cuisine where cuttlefish is a popular ingredient in dishes such as stir-fries and soups.

Strokes12RadicalFrequency#48972DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese cuisine, cuttlefish is often featured in seafood dishes and is appreciated for its unique texture and flavor. It is commonly found in coastal regions, reflecting the importance of seafood in Chinese culinary traditions.

Memory Tip

Imagine a cuttlefish swimming gracefully in the ocean while its body resembles the character 鱿. The top part resembles flowing water, and the bottom part can remind you of the cuttlefish's tentacles. Remembering 'yóu' can be easier if you think of it as the sound of a playful cuttlefish splashing around.

Meanings of 鱿

yóu(you2)
1cuttlefish
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 鱿

鱿Simplified
Traditional
12Strokes
Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 鱿

JasonAmy

Podcast: 鱿

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 鱿

Quick Contrast

鱿 (cuttlefish) vs 墨鱼 (squid) — use 鱿 when specifically referring to cuttlefish, which has a different texture and flavor compared to 墨鱼.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a cuttlefish swimming gracefully in the ocean while its body resembles the character 鱿. The top part resembles flowing water, and the bottom part can remind you of the cuttlefish's tentacles. Remembering 'yóu' can be easier if you think of it as the sound of a playful cuttlefish splashing around.

Usage Notes

Cuttlefish is often confused with squid due to their similar appearances, so it's important to clarify when referring to them in a culinary context. The word is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal settings. Common collocations include 鱿鱼 (yóu yú - cuttlefish) and 菜肴 (càiyáo - dishes).

HSK Study Tips

Although 鱿 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it is beneficial for learners at higher levels interested in food-related terms. Students should focus on the pronunciation and recognize similar seafood terms to build their culinary vocabulary.

Cultural Note

In Chinese cuisine, cuttlefish is often featured in seafood dishes and is appreciated for its unique texture and flavor. It is commonly found in coastal regions, reflecting the importance of seafood in Chinese culinary traditions.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 鱿 with 鱿鱼 (yóu yú), mistakenly thinking they are the same when 鱿 specifically refers to the cuttlefish, while 鱿鱼 is the general term for cuttlefish as a dish. Correct usage would be to say 鱿鱼是我最喜欢的海鲜 (yóu yú shì wǒ zuì xǐ huān de hǎi xiān - Cuttlefish is my favorite seafood).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 鱿

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Etymology of 鱿

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

Phonosemantic compound. 鱼 represents the meaning and 尤 represents the sound. Simplified form of 魷.

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 鱿?

Decomposition of 鱿

IDS Structure⿰鱼尤
鱿Full Character
=
Yu2
left
You2
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 鱿?

Write 鱿

鱿

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

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Grammar Patterns of 鱿

鱿 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). The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

如果你炒我____鱼,我就再也高兴不起来了。

If you take my work away I can'tbe happy anymore.

Example Sentences for 鱿 (6)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
如果你炒我鱿鱼,我就再也高兴不起来了。

rú guǒ nǐ chǎo wǒ yóu yú, , wǒ jiù zài yě gāo xīng bù qǐ lái。

If you take my work away I can'tbe happy anymore.
2
要是我搞砸了,很可能会被炒鱿鱼。

yào shì wǒ gǎo zá le, , hěn kě néng huì bèi chǎo yóu。

If I messed up, I would probably be fired.
3
放入对虾和鱿鱼,烹炒2分钟。

fàng rù duì xiā hé yóu yú, , pēng2 chǎo 2。

Add the prawns and squid and cook for 2 minutes.
4
经理发觉了他的不轨行为,打算炒他鱿鱼.

jīng lǐ fā jué le tā de bù guǐ háng wéi, , dǎ suàn chǎo tā yóu.

The manager had found him out and was going to sack him.
5
他被新来的厂长炒了鱿鱼.

tā bèi xīn lái de chǎng cháng chǎo le yóu yú.

He was fired by the newly - appointed director.
6
配料: 生鱼片 、 中虾 、 青口 、 双丸、鸡片 、 烟肉卷、鲜鱿.

pèi liào: : shēng yú、 piàn 、、 zhōng xiā、 、 qīng、 kǒu 、、 shuāng wán 、、 jī piàn.

Ingredients: Crap Fish , Prawns, Mussels , Mixed Ball , Sliced Chicken, Bacon & Cuttlefish.

Cultural Notes for 鱿

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese cuisine, cuttlefish is often featured in seafood dishes and is appreciated for its unique texture and flavor. It is commonly found in coastal regions, reflecting the importance of seafood in Chinese culinary traditions.

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

While cuttlefish is enjoyed in Chinese cuisine, in Western cultures, it is less commonly featured on menus compared to squid or octopus, which may lead to unfamiliarity with the term.

Word Family of 鱿

Words Containing This Character3
鱿鱼squid魷魚
鱿yóucuttlefish
炒鱿鱼to sack sb炒魷魚
Exercise 1 of 3

Compound Meaning

What does 鱿鱼 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 鱿

It is pronounced as 'yóu' with a rising tone.