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鲻 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
鲻zīmulletg, 16 strokes, radical 鱼, rank #32192, Very Hard
鲻zīgray mullet (Mugil cephalus)unknown, 16 strokes, radical 鱼, rank #32192, Very Hard
zī(zi1)zi T1
  1. 1mullet
  2. 2gray mullet (Mugil cephalus)
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March 24, 2026

鲻(鯔)zī(zi1)

The character 鲻 (zī) refers specifically to the gray mullet, a type of fish commonly found in coastal waters. It is often used in culinary contexts, especially in dishes that highlight fresh seafood, and is appreciated for its flavor and texture.

Strokes16Radical鱼Frequency#32192DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Chinese cuisine, fish holds significant cultural importance, symbolizing abundance and prosperity, especially during celebrations like the Lunar New Year. The gray mullet is often featured in traditional dishes due to its availability and taste.

Memory tip

Imagine a gray fish swimming swiftly in the sea, representing the character 鲻. The radical '魚' (fish) hints at its meaning, while the 'zī' sound can be remembered by associating it with the sound of waves lapping against the shore.

Meanings of 鲻

zī(zi1)
1mullet
2gray mullet (Mugil cephalus)
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

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About 鲻

鲻Simplified
鯔Traditional
16Strokes
鱼Radical
语素morpheme (morph.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 鲻

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Podcast: 鲻

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AI study notes for 鲻

Usage Notes

This term is typically used in a culinary or ecological context. Be cautious, as it is relatively formal; use it in discussions about seafood or fishing rather than casual conversation. Common collocations include cooking methods like '清蒸鲻鱼' (steamed gray mullet).

HSK Study Tips

Although not currently included in HSK levels, learning this word can enhance your vocabulary related to food and nature. Focus on similar words related to fish and cooking to build a thematic understanding.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 鲻 with other types of fish, leading to incorrect usage in recipes or discussions. For example, saying '我喜欢吃鲻' (I like to eat mullet) is correct, but using it interchangeably with '鲤' (carp) is a common mistake.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 鲻

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Etymology of 鲻

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

fish

Semantic (meaning)鱼
+
Phonetic (sound)甾
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

鲻 = 鱼 + 甾. What kind of character does that make it?

Decomposition of 鲻

IDS Structure⿰鱼甾
鲻Full character
=
鱼Yu2
left
甾zai1
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 鲻?

How to say mullet in Chinese

“mullet” in Chinese is鲻zī

The character 鲻 (zī) refers specifically to the gray mullet, a type of fish commonly found in coastal waters. It is often used in culinary contexts, especially in dishes that highlight fresh seafood, and is appreciated for its flavor and texture.

When to use 鲻

This term is typically used in a culinary or ecological context. Be cautious, as it is relatively formal; use it in discussions about seafood or fishing rather than casual conversation. Common collocations include cooking methods like '清蒸鲻鱼' (steamed gray mullet).

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 鲻 with other types of fish, leading to incorrect usage in recipes or discussions. For example, saying '我喜欢吃鲻' (I like to eat mullet) is correct, but using it interchangeably with '鲤' (carp) is a common mistake.

Write 鲻

鲻

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

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Word Family of 鲻

Words containing this character1
鲻zīgray mullet (Mugil cephalus)鯔

Frequently asked questions about 鲻

鲻 can be prepared in various ways, including steaming or grilling, to highlight its delicate flavor.

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