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鲮 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
鲮língcarpn, 16 strokes, radical 鱼
鲮língmud carp (Cirrhina molitorella)unknown, 16 strokes, radical 鱼
líng(ling2) T2
  1. 1carp
  2. 2mud carp (Cirrhina molitorella)
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March 24, 2026

鲮(鯪)líng(ling2)

The character 鲮 (líng) refers specifically to a type of fish known as the mud carp, which is commonly found in freshwater environments. This fish is notable for its significance in aquaculture and local cuisines, particularly in certain regions of China where it is valued for its taste and texture.

Strokes16Radical鱼
Cultural Note

In certain regions of China, mud carp is a traditional ingredient in local dishes, especially during festivals. Its presence in cuisine reflects the relationship between Chinese culture and freshwater ecosystems.

Memory Tip

Imagine a 'ling' fish swimming in muddy waters. The radical 水 (water) signifies its aquatic nature, while the character's overall form can remind you of a fish gliding effortlessly through a pond, helping you connect both the meaning and pronunciation.

Meanings of 鲮

líng(ling2)
1carp
2mud carp (Cirrhina molitorella)
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 鲮

鲮Simplified
鯪Traditional
16Strokes
鱼Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 鲮

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Podcast: 鲮

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AI Study Notes for 鲮

Usage Notes

This term is used primarily in informal contexts related to fishing or food. A common mistake is confusing it with similar fish names; ensure you differentiate it from other types of carp. It is often used in culinary discussions or fish markets.

HSK Study Tips

While 鲮 is not part of HSK vocabulary, it connects to other aquatic terms such as 鱼 (fish) and 河 (river) relevant to HSK levels 1 and 2. Focus on understanding aquatic life vocabulary to build a thematic knowledge base.

Common Mistakes

Learners may confuse 鲮 with other types of fish, such as 鲤 (lǐ, carp) or 鲷 (diāo, snapper). Be sure to use 鲮 when specifically referring to mud carp to avoid confusion.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 鲮

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Etymology of 鲮

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

fish

Semantic (meaning)鱼
+
Phonetic (sound)夌
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 鲮

  1. 1The meaning half鱼 carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half夌 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
  3. 3The giveawayfish
  4. 4On the record aspictophonetic.

Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.

Want the full history of 鲮? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.

Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 鲮?

Decomposition of 鲮

IDS Structure⿰鱼夌
鲮Full Character
=
鱼Yu2
left
夌ling2
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 鲮?

How to say carp in Chinese

“carp” in Chinese is鲮líng

The character 鲮 (líng) refers specifically to a type of fish known as the mud carp, which is commonly found in freshwater environments. This fish is notable for its significance in aquaculture and local cuisines, particularly in certain regions of China where it is valued for its taste and texture.

When to use 鲮

This term is used primarily in informal contexts related to fishing or food. A common mistake is confusing it with similar fish names; ensure you differentiate it from other types of carp. It is often used in culinary discussions or fish markets.

What learners get wrong

Learners may confuse 鲮 with other types of fish, such as 鲤 (lǐ, carp) or 鲷 (diāo, snapper). Be sure to use 鲮 when specifically referring to mud carp to avoid confusion.

Write 鲮

鲮

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

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Word Family of 鲮

Words Containing This Character4
鲮鱼mud carp (Cirrhina molitorella)鯪魚
鲮língmud carp (Cirrhina molitorella)鯪
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 鲮

Mud carp is known for its tender meat and mild flavor, often used in soups and stews.

Jason Recommends

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