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鯔 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
鯔zīmulletx, 19 strokes, radical 魚
zī(zi1)zi T1
  1. 1mullet
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March 24, 2026

鯔zī(zi1)

The character 鯔 (zī) refers specifically to a type of fish known as mullet, which is commonly found in coastal waters and is valued for its culinary versatility. In Chinese cuisine, mullet is often enjoyed for its rich flavor and is used in various dishes, highlighting its importance in both gastronomy and regional fishing practices.

Strokes19Radical魚
Cultural note

In coastal regions of China, mullet is a popular ingredient, particularly in dishes that celebrate local seafood. Its significance is reflected in festivals and culinary traditions that honor oceanic harvests.

Memory tip

Think of 鯔 as a fish swimming gracefully in water. The radical 魚 (yú), meaning 'fish', is at the bottom, indicating it's a type of fish. Imagine a 'z' shaped mullet swimming around, helping you remember the pronunciation 'zī' and its meaning.

Meanings of 鯔

zī(zi1)
1mullet
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

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About 鯔

鯔Simplified
19Strokes
魚Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 鯔

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Podcast: 鯔

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AI Study Notes for 鯔

Usage Notes

This term is more commonly used in formal contexts, particularly in culinary discussions or fishing terminology. Learners should be careful not to confuse it with other fish names and remember that it specifically refers to mullet, not just any fish.

HSK Study Tips

Although 鯔 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it connects to HSK Level 3 words related to food and animals. Learners should focus on building a broader vocabulary around food items and marine life, as this will enhance their ability to discuss culinary topics.

Common Mistakes

Learners often mistakenly use 鯔 to refer to any type of fish. For example, saying '我喜欢鯔' (Wǒ xǐhuān zī - I like fish) is incorrect; instead, specify the type of fish if discussing general preferences.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 鯔

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Etymology of 鯔

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

fish

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

Origin

鯔 = 魚 + 甾. What kind of character does that make it?

Decomposition of 鯔

IDS Structure⿰魚甾
鯔Full character
=
魚yu2
left
甾zai1
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 鯔?

How to say mullet in Chinese

“mullet” in Chinese is鯔zī

The character 鯔 (zī) refers specifically to a type of fish known as mullet, which is commonly found in coastal waters and is valued for its culinary versatility. In Chinese cuisine, mullet is often enjoyed for its rich flavor and is used in various dishes, highlighting its importance in both gastronomy and regional fishing practices.

When to use 鯔

This term is more commonly used in formal contexts, particularly in culinary discussions or fishing terminology. Learners should be careful not to confuse it with other fish names and remember that it specifically refers to mullet, not just any fish.

What learners get wrong

Learners often mistakenly use 鯔 to refer to any type of fish. For example, saying '我喜欢鯔' (Wǒ xǐhuān zī - I like fish) is incorrect; instead, specify the type of fish if discussing general preferences.

Write 鯔

鯔

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

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Word Family of 鯔

Words containing this character1
鲻zīgray mullet (Mugil cephalus)鯔
Exercise 1 of 1

Characters with 鯔

What does 鲻 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 鯔

No, 鯔 is more specialized and might be used in culinary contexts rather than daily conversation.

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