Meanings of 鱿
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 鱿
Podcast: 鱿
Podcast: 鱿
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 鱿
鱿 (cuttlefish) vs 墨鱼 (squid) — use 鱿 when specifically referring to cuttlefish, which has a different texture and flavor compared to 墨鱼.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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).
Pronunciation of 鱿
Drill the tone of 鱿 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Etymology of 鱿
Phonosemantic compound. 鱼 represents the meaning and 尤 represents the sound. Simplified form of 魷.
fish
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 鱿?
Decomposition of 鱿
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 鱿?
Write 鱿
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 鱿 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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.
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)
Cultural Notes for 鱿
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.
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
Compound Meaning
What does 鱿鱼 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 鱿
It is pronounced as 'yóu' with a rising tone.