Meanings of 鯉
By ear
Play it, then pick what 鯉 means.
About 鯉
Podcast: 鯉
Podcast: 鯉
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 鯉
鲤 (lǐ) vs 鮎 (yóu) — choose 鯉 (lǐ) when referring specifically to carp, while 鮎 (yóu) refers to sweetfish, a different species.
Learners often confuse 鯉 with other fish-related characters like 魚 (yú), which is a general term for fish. 鯉 is primarily used in more formal or literary contexts, particularly during festivals. Be cautious with the third tone in lǐ to avoid mispronunciation that could lead to confusion with other similar-sounding words.
While 鯉 is not included in the HSK levels, it is beneficial to understand its use in cultural contexts and idiomatic expressions. Students should focus on how 鯉 appears in phrases related to success and perseverance, like '鲤鱼跳龙门' (lǐ yú tiào lóngmén), which means 'the carp jumps over the dragon gate' symbolizing achieving success.
Learners sometimes confuse 鯉 with 魚 (yú) and use it interchangeably, leading to incorrect sentences like '我喜欢鯉' when they mean 'I like fish.' The correct phrase should be '我喜欢魚.'
Pronunciation of 鯉
Drill the tone of 鯉 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Jason Explains 鯉 to You
Let me explain 鯉 for you
Make it yours
Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 鯉 through them.
Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 215 AI credits.
How Well Do You Know 鯉?
Learning Lab
Knowing 鯉 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.
- MeaningFree
- CharacterFree
- PinyinFree
- TonePro
- ListeningPro
- SpeakingPro
- WritingPro
Etymology of 鯉
Phonosemantic compound. 鱼 represents the meaning and 里 represents the sound. Simplified form of 鯉.
fish
Origin
鯉 = 魚 + 里. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 鯉
Parts
Which of these is part of 鯉?
How to say carp in Chinese
“carp” in Chinese is鯉
The character 鯉 (lǐ) refers to the carp, a freshwater fish known for its significance in Chinese culture, particularly as a symbol of prosperity and good fortune. Carp are often associated with determination and resilience due to their ability to swim upstream, which makes this character common in idiomatic expressions and celebrations.
When to use 鯉
Learners often confuse 鯉 with other fish-related characters like 魚 (yú), which is a general term for fish. 鯉 is primarily used in more formal or literary contexts, particularly during festivals. Be cautious with the third tone in lǐ to avoid mispronunciation that could lead to confusion with other similar-sounding words.
鯉 or something close to it
鲤 (lǐ) vs 鮎 (yóu) — choose 鯉 (lǐ) when referring specifically to carp, while 鮎 (yóu) refers to sweetfish, a different species.
What learners get wrong
Learners sometimes confuse 鯉 with 魚 (yú) and use it interchangeably, leading to incorrect sentences like '我喜欢鯉' when they mean 'I like fish.' The correct phrase should be '我喜欢魚.'
Write 鯉
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 鯉 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Ask Jason
Have a question about 鯉?
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 215 AI credits.
Word Family of 鯉
Words with 鯉
What does 鲤鱼 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 鯉
The carp symbolizes prosperity, good fortune, and perseverance, often featured in celebrations and art.
Jason Recommends
Not sure what to learn after 鯉?
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.