Stroke order, etymology and audio for every word.Start learning
渔 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
渔
yú
fisherman
n, 11 strokes, radical 氵, rank #20347, Very Hard
渔
yú
to fish
n, 11 strokes, radical 氵, rank #20347, Very Hard
渔
yú
fisherman; to fish; to pursue; to sieze
n, 11 strokes, radical 氵, rank #20347, Very Hard
yú(yu2)yu T2
1fisherman
2to fish
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
渔(漁)yú(yu2)
The character 渔 (yú) primarily refers to fishing or the act of catching fish. It can denote a fisherman, someone who engages in this activity, or it can be used in broader contexts involving the pursuit or seizing of something, metaphorically speaking. It is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts relating to aquatic activities.
Strokes11Radical氵Frequency#20347DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note
Fishing has deep roots in Chinese culture, often depicted in traditional art and poetry. The act of fishing not only provides sustenance but is also associated with tranquility and philosophical reflection, as seen in works like Laozi's writings.
Memory tip
Picture a fisherman (渔) casting his net into the water. The left component '氵' (water) suggests the aquatic environment, while the right component '余' sounds like 'yú'—imagine he is saying 'You!' to the fish. This imagery of fishing evokes both the action and the pronunciation.
Meanings of 渔
yú(yu2)
1fisherman
2to fish
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 渔 means.
About 渔
渔Simplified
漁Traditional
11Strokes
氵Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#20347Frequency Rank
Podcast: 渔
Podcast: 渔
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI study notes for 渔
Quick Contrast
捕鱼 (bǔyú, catch fish) vs 渔猎 (yúliè, fishing and hunting) — choose 渔 when focusing specifically on fishing activities, while 捕鱼 emphasizes the act of catching.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 渔 with similar characters, such as 鱼 (yú), which simply means 'fish.' It is more commonly used in informal contexts but can appear in formal discussions about fishing practices or policies. Common collocations include 渔民 (yúmín, fisherman) and 渔业 (yúyè, fishing industry).
HSK Study Tips
Although 渔 is not an HSK level word, it connects well with HSK vocabulary related to nature and professions. Students should focus on its pronunciation and usage in context, especially with terms related to water and animals.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 渔 with 鱼, mistakenly using 渔 when they simply mean 'fish.' For instance, saying 渔 is swimming instead of 鱼 is swimming is incorrect; the correct phrase is 鱼在游泳 (Yú zài yóuyǒng).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 渔
Premium — Locked
Tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 渔, say it back, see your pitch against the model voice, and earn XP towards mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 渔 through them.
Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.
How well do you know 渔?
Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 渔 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
The character 渔 (yú) primarily refers to fishing or the act of catching fish. It can denote a fisherman, someone who engages in this activity, or it can be used in broader contexts involving the pursuit or seizing of something, metaphorically speaking. It is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts relating to aquatic activities.
When to use 渔
Be careful not to confuse 渔 with similar characters, such as 鱼 (yú), which simply means 'fish.' It is more commonly used in informal contexts but can appear in formal discussions about fishing practices or policies. Common collocations include 渔民 (yúmín, fisherman) and 渔业 (yúyè, fishing industry).
渔 or something close to it
捕鱼 (bǔyú, catch fish) vs 渔猎 (yúliè, fishing and hunting) — choose 渔 when focusing specifically on fishing activities, while 捕鱼 emphasizes the act of catching.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 渔 with 鱼, mistakenly using 渔 when they simply mean 'fish.' For instance, saying 渔 is swimming instead of 鱼 is swimming is incorrect; the correct phrase is 鱼在游泳 (Yú zài yóuyǒng).
Write 渔
渔
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 渔 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
Grammar patterns of 渔
渔 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). It carries 3 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.
Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.
Cultural Notes for 渔
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
In Western cultures, fishing is often seen as a sport or recreational activity, while in China, it is also a significant source of livelihood and cultural practice.
Word Family of 渔
Words containing this character20
渔夫yúfūfisherman漁夫
渔船yúchuánfishing boat漁船
渔yúfisherman漁
渔民yúmínfisherman漁民
渔业yúyèfishery漁業
渔具yújùfishing gear漁具
渔网yúwǎngfishing net漁網
渔场yúchǎngfishing ground漁場
渔港yúgǎngfishing port漁港
渔猎yúlièfig. to loot漁獵
坐收渔利zuòshōuyúlìbenefit from others' dispute (idiom)坐收漁利
渔人yúrénfisherman漁人
禁渔jìnyúban on fishing禁漁
渔阳yúyángold place name (in Yan of Warring states, in modern Beijing city)漁陽
渔轮yúlúnfishing vessel漁輪
竭泽而渔jiézé’éryúlit. to drain the pond to get at the fish (idiom)竭澤而漁
渔汛yúxùnfishing season漁汛
渔捞yúlāofishing (as a commercial activity)漁撈
渔鼓yúgǔpercussion instrument in the form of a bamboo fish (traditionally used by Daoist priests)漁鼓
涸泽而渔hézé’éryúlit. to drain the pond to get at the fish (idiom)涸澤而漁
Exercise 1 of 4
Words with 渔
What does 渔夫 mean?
Frequently asked questions about 渔
You can say 渔民在河里捕鱼 (Yúmín zài hé lǐ bǔ yú), which means 'The fishermen are fishing in the river.'
渔 refers to the act of fishing or the fishermen, while 鱼 simply means 'fish.'
Yes, 渔 can be used in formal contexts, especially in discussions about fishing policies or industries.
Jason Recommends
Not sure what to learn after 渔?
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.
A sample week, replayed. Every page you study lands here in the order you did it — your own replay starts with a free account.
