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鳅 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
鳅qiūloachx, 17 strokes, radical 鱼
qiū(qiu1)qiu T1
  1. 1loach
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March 24, 2026

鳅(鰍)qiū(qiu1)

The character 鳅 (qiū) refers to a type of freshwater fish known as loach, commonly found in Asian waters. It is often used in culinary contexts, particularly in dishes from Chinese cuisine where loach is a delicacy. Additionally, it can symbolize adaptability due to the loach's ability to thrive in various environments.

Strokes17Radical鱼
Cultural note

In Chinese cuisine, loach is often featured in traditional dishes, especially in the southern regions, where it is prized for its flavor and texture. It is not just a food item but also reflects the cultural appreciation for fresh, local ingredients.

Memory tip

Imagine a loach swimming smoothly through muddy waters, its body resembling the character 鳅. The top part '魚' (fish) indicates it's a fish, while the '丘' (hill) suggests it hides in the mud, making it memorable as 'the fish that swims through hills of mud.'

Meanings of 鳅

qiū(qiu1)
1loach
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 鳅

鳅Simplified
鰍Traditional
17Strokes
鱼Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 鳅

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Podcast: 鳅

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AI study notes for 鳅

Usage Notes

When using 鳅 in conversation, be mindful of regional preferences for this fish as it may not be well-known in all parts of China. It's more commonly discussed in informal contexts, especially in culinary settings. Avoid confusing it with other types of fish, such as 魚 (yú), which is the general term for fish.

HSK Study Tips

While 鳅 is not included in the HSK vocabulary list, it connects to other food-related words that students may learn at HSK Level 2 and 3. Focus on its pronunciation and usage in context to enhance your vocabulary related to food.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 鳅 (qiū) with 魚 (yú), which means fish in general. Remember that 鳅 specifically refers to loach. For example, saying '我喜欢鳅' (Wǒ xǐhuān qiū) is correct if you mean you like loach, but ensure you're talking about this specific fish to avoid ambiguity.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 鳅

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Etymology of 鳅

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

fish

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

Origin

鳅 = 鱼 + 秋. What kind of character does that make it?

Decomposition of 鳅

IDS Structure⿰鱼秋
鳅Full character
=
鱼Yu2
left
秋Qiu1
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 鳅?

How to say loach in Chinese

“loach” in Chinese is鳅qiū

The character 鳅 (qiū) refers to a type of freshwater fish known as loach, commonly found in Asian waters. It is often used in culinary contexts, particularly in dishes from Chinese cuisine where loach is a delicacy. Additionally, it can symbolize adaptability due to the loach's ability to thrive in various environments.

When to use 鳅

When using 鳅 in conversation, be mindful of regional preferences for this fish as it may not be well-known in all parts of China. It's more commonly discussed in informal contexts, especially in culinary settings. Avoid confusing it with other types of fish, such as 魚 (yú), which is the general term for fish.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 鳅 (qiū) with 魚 (yú), which means fish in general. Remember that 鳅 specifically refers to loach. For example, saying '我喜欢鳅' (Wǒ xǐhuān qiū) is correct if you mean you like loach, but ensure you're talking about this specific fish to avoid ambiguity.

Write 鳅

鳅

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

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Word Family of 鳅

Words containing this character2
泥鳅loach泥鰍
鳅qiūloach鰍
Exercise 1 of 1

Words with 鳅

What does 泥鳅 mean?

Frequently asked questions about 鳅

It is pronounced as 'qiū', with a rising tone.

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