HSK 7, ng, 16 strokes, radical 鱼, rank #12219, Hard
jīng(jing1) T1
1whale
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March 24, 2026
鲸(鯨)jīng(jing1)
The character 鲸 (jīng) refers specifically to a whale, a large marine mammal known for its size and intelligence. It is commonly used in contexts related to marine biology, conservation, and discussions about ocean wildlife. The term can evoke imagery of vast oceanic life and is often used in literature and environmental discussions.
Strokes16Radical鱼Frequency#12219DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, whales symbolize great strength and wisdom, often featured in folklore and art. The concept of conservation is increasingly significant in modern discussions, reflecting a growing awareness of marine life protection.
Memory Tip
Imagine a giant whale swimming majestically through the ocean, its massive body resembling the character 鲸. The top part resembles a wave, indicating its aquatic nature, while the radical '魚' (yú) signifies fish or aquatic life, reinforcing its meaning. Remember, 'jīng' sounds like 'jingling' which could be the sound of the waves as the whale surfaces.
Meanings of 鲸
jīng(jing1)
1whale
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 鲸
鲸Simplified
鯨Traditional
16Strokes
鱼Radical
名语素míngcínoun root (n.root)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7
Podcast: 鲸
Podcast: 鲸
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AI Study Notes for 鲸
Quick Contrast
鲸 (jīng) vs 鱼 (yú) — use 鲸 for the specific marine mammal, while 鱼 refers to fish in general.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a giant whale swimming majestically through the ocean, its massive body resembling the character 鲸. The top part resembles a wave, indicating its aquatic nature, while the radical '魚' (yú) signifies fish or aquatic life, reinforcing its meaning. Remember, 'jīng' sounds like 'jingling' which could be the sound of the waves as the whale surfaces.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 鲸 (jīng) with other marine terms, so it's essential to remember it specifically means 'whale.' It is typically used in formal contexts, like documentaries or academic discussions. Common collocations include '鲸鱼' (jīngyú) meaning 'whale' and '蓝鲸' (lánjīng) meaning 'blue whale.'
HSK Study Tips
While 鲸 is not included in the HSK vocabulary list, it offers a good opportunity to connect with other marine-related terms like 鱼 (yú, fish) and 海 (hǎi, sea). Focus on pronunciation and tone to differentiate it from similar-sounding words.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, whales symbolize great strength and wisdom, often featured in folklore and art. The concept of conservation is increasingly significant in modern discussions, reflecting a growing awareness of marine life protection.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse 鲸 (jīng) with similar-sounding characters. For example, mixing it with 经 (jīng, meaning 'to pass through') is a common error. Remember that 鲸 specifically refers to whales.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 鲸
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Grammar Patterns of 鲸
鲸 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
挪威的捕____人说昨天他们用捕鲸叉捕获了一头雌性小须鲸。
Norwegian whalers said yesterday they had harpooned a female minke whale.
Example Sentences for 鲸 (5)
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1
挪威的捕鲸人说昨天他们用捕鲸叉捕获了一头雌性小须鲸。
nuó wēi de bǔ jīng rén shuō zuó tiān tā mén yòng bǔ jīng chā bǔ huò le yī tóu cí xìng xiǎo xū jīng。
Norwegian whalers said yesterday they had harpooned a female minke whale.
2
蓝鲸是地球上体型最大的生物。
lán jīng shì dì qiú shàng tǐ xíng zuì dà de shēng wù。
The blue whale is the largest living thing on the planet.
While entrapments are believed to be common, human witness to them is not.
Cultural Notes for 鲸
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, whales symbolize great strength and wisdom, often featured in folklore and art. The concept of conservation is increasingly significant in modern discussions, reflecting a growing awareness of marine life protection.
Word Family of 鲸
Words Containing This Character10
鲸jīngwhale鯨
鲸鱼whale鯨魚
白鲸beluga白鯨
蓝鲸blue whale藍鯨
抹香鲸cachalot抹香鯨
鲸鲨whale shark鯨鯊
须鲸baleen whale鬚鯨
座头鲸humpback whale座頭鯨
齿鲸toothed whales齒鯨
鲸鱼座Cetus (constellation)鯨魚座
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 鲸 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 鲸
The correct pronunciation is 'jīng', with a high-level tone.
Yes, 鲸 (jīng) specifically means 'whale,' while 鱼 (yú) refers to 'fish' in general.
It is more commonly used in formal contexts, such as scientific discussions or documentaries.
