Meanings of 鲨
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About 鲨
Podcast: 鲨
Podcast: 鲨
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AI study notes for 鲨
鲨 (shā, shark) vs 鳐 (yáo, ray) — use 鲨 for the specific predator known for its sharp teeth, while 鳐 refers to a different type of flat-bodied marine animal.
When using 鲨, be mindful that it is often paired with other food-related terms in culinary contexts, such as 鲨鱼 (shāyú, shark fish). A common mistake is to confuse it with similar-sounding words; ensure you're using the correct tone, as 'shā' has a high, level tone.
Although 鲨 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it can be connected to other animal-related words like 鱼 (yú, fish) and 海 (hǎi, sea). Focus on the pronunciation and character components to build familiarity with related marine vocabulary.
Learners often mistakenly write 鲨 with the wrong character for fish, such as using 鱼 (yú) instead of the correct radical. Remember, the bottom part must be 魚, which is the traditional form for fish.
Pronunciation of 鲨
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Jason Explains 鲨 to you
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Learning Lab
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Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
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Etymology of 鲨
Phonosemantic compound. 鱼 represents the meaning and 沙 represents the sound. Simplified form of 鯊.
fish
Origin
鲨 = 鱼 + 沙. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 鲨
Parts
Which of these is part of 鲨?
How to say shark in Chinese
“shark” in Chinese is鲨
The character 鲨 (shā) refers to a shark, a large marine predator known for its sharp teeth and streamlined body. It is commonly used in contexts related to marine life, fishing, and culinary dishes involving shark meat. In broader usage, it can symbolize something fierce or powerful.
When to use 鲨
When using 鲨, be mindful that it is often paired with other food-related terms in culinary contexts, such as 鲨鱼 (shāyú, shark fish). A common mistake is to confuse it with similar-sounding words; ensure you're using the correct tone, as 'shā' has a high, level tone.
鲨 or something close to it
鲨 (shā, shark) vs 鳐 (yáo, ray) — use 鲨 for the specific predator known for its sharp teeth, while 鳐 refers to a different type of flat-bodied marine animal.
What learners get wrong
Learners often mistakenly write 鲨 with the wrong character for fish, such as using 鱼 (yú) instead of the correct radical. Remember, the bottom part must be 魚, which is the traditional form for fish.
Write 鲨
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Practice writing 鲨 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar patterns of 鲨
鲨 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.
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
____鱼急速潜入水中，在船下游动。
The shark dived down and swam under the boat.
Example sentences for 鲨 (3)
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Word Family of 鲨
Words with 鲨
What does 鲨鱼 mean?
Frequently asked questions about 鲨
It is pronounced as 'shā' with a high, level tone.
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