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鲨鱼 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
鲨鱼shāyúsharkHSK 6, unknown, 23 strokes, rank #3434, Hard
shāyú(sha1yu2)sha yu T1
  1. 1shark
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March 24, 2026

鲨鱼(鯊魚)shāyú(sha1yu2)

The term '鲨鱼' (shā yú) refers specifically to sharks, a group of large, predatory fish known for their sharp teeth and keen senses. Commonly discussed in contexts related to marine biology, fishing, and oceanic ecosystems, '鲨鱼' can also appear in idiomatic expressions about danger or aggressiveness.

Strokes23Frequency#3434DifficultyHard
Cultural note

Sharks hold a significant place in Chinese folklore, often symbolizing power and fearlessness. In modern contexts, they are also linked to marine conservation efforts amid concerns about overfishing.

Memory tip

Imagine a sharp 'shā' knife cutting through the 'yú' (fish) in the ocean. The character '鲨' (shā) has the fish radical '鱼' (yú) which signifies its relation to aquatic life, while the sharpness connects to the shark's fearsome reputation.

Meanings of 鲨鱼

shāyú(sha1yu2)
1shark
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About 鲨鱼

鲨鱼Simplified
鯊魚Traditional
23Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L6AdvancedCEFRC2

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Podcast: 鲨鱼

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AI study notes for 鲨鱼

Quick Contrast

鲨鱼 (shāyú) vs 鱼 (yú) — choose 鲨鱼 when specifically referring to sharks, as 鱼 is a general term for fish.

Usage Notes

Be cautious with tone, as '鲨鱼' uses the first tone for '鲨' and the second tone for '鱼'. Common mistakes include mispronouncing the tones, which can confuse the meaning. In formal contexts, it is appropriate to use '鲨鱼', while in casual settings, you might hear slang terms.

HSK Study Tips

Although '鲨鱼' is not an HSK word, it connects well with other aquatic vocabulary at HSK levels 1 and 2, like '鱼' (fish). Focus on the pronunciation and the tones, as these are crucial for correct communication.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse '鲨鱼' with '鱼' and may say '鲨' alone, which is incorrect. Always use the full term '鲨鱼' to specify that you are talking about sharks.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 鲨鱼

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Component characters

鲨shāshark
15 strokes鱼
View full entry
鱼yúfish
HSK 28 strokes鱼
View full entry

How to say shark in Chinese

“shark” in Chinese is鲨鱼shāyú

The term '鲨鱼' (shā yú) refers specifically to sharks, a group of large, predatory fish known for their sharp teeth and keen senses. Commonly discussed in contexts related to marine biology, fishing, and oceanic ecosystems, '鲨鱼' can also appear in idiomatic expressions about danger or aggressiveness.

When to use 鲨鱼

Be cautious with tone, as '鲨鱼' uses the first tone for '鲨' and the second tone for '鱼'. Common mistakes include mispronouncing the tones, which can confuse the meaning. In formal contexts, it is appropriate to use '鲨鱼', while in casual settings, you might hear slang terms.

鲨鱼 or something close to it

鲨鱼 (shāyú) vs 鱼 (yú) — choose 鲨鱼 when specifically referring to sharks, as 鱼 is a general term for fish.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse '鲨鱼' with '鱼' and may say '鲨' alone, which is incorrect. Always use the full term '鲨鱼' to specify that you are talking about sharks.

Write 鲨鱼

鲨
鱼

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Frequently asked questions about 鲨鱼

'鱼' (yú) means fish in general, while '鲨鱼' (shā yú) specifically refers to sharks, which are a specific type of fish.

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