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鳅 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
鳅qiūloachx, 17 strokes, radical 鱼
qiū(qiu1) T1
  1. 1loach
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
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

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

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

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 鳅

  1. 1The meaning half鱼 carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half秋 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 鳅? 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 鳅?

Decomposition of 鳅

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

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component 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.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Word Family of 鳅

Words Containing This Character2
泥鳅loach泥鰍
鳅qiūloach鰍
Exercise 1 of 2

Compound Meaning

What does 泥鳅 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 鳅

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

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 鳅?

Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.