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鯰 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
鯰niánsheatfishx, 19 strokes, radical 魚
nián(nian2)nian T2
  1. 1sheatfish
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March 24, 2026

鯰nián(nian2)

The character 鯰 (nián) refers to a type of fish known as the sheatfish, which is commonly found in freshwater environments. This fish is characterized by its elongated body and whisker-like barbels, making it distinct among other fish. In culinary contexts, sheatfish is often enjoyed in various dishes across Chinese cuisine.

Strokes19Radical魚
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, freshwater fish like 鯰 are often associated with prosperity and abundance, particularly in southern regions where they are commonly farmed. Festivals may feature dishes made with sheatfish as a symbol of good fortune.

Memory tip

Imagine a long, slippery fish swimming in a river, with whiskers that resemble a cat's. The character 鯰 combines the radical for fish, 魚 (yú), with the phonetic component 年 (nián), which sounds like 'year.' Picture a fish that has lived many years, hence the name sheatfish.

Meanings of 鯰

nián(nian2)
1sheatfish
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 鯰

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

Podcast: 鯰

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Podcast: 鯰

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AI study notes for 鯰

Usage Notes

When using 鯰, it's essential to note that it is a more technical term and may not be commonly used in everyday conversation. In culinary discussions, it often appears in the context of dishes or regional specialties. Be careful not to confuse it with related fish names, which can lead to misunderstandings.

HSK Study Tips

Since 鯰 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, learners should focus on related words for fish, like 魚 (yú), which is essential for basic conversations about seafood. Understanding this character can enrich your vocabulary related to aquatic life.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 鯰 with other fish names, such as 魚 (yú), which means fish in general. For example, saying '我喜欢鯰' (I like sheatfish) without context may confuse listeners who are unfamiliar with the term.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 鯰

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Etymology of 鯰

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

Phonosemantic compound. 鱼 represents the meaning and 念 represents the sound. Simplified form of 鯰.

Memory hint

fish

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

Origin

鯰 = 魚 + 念. What kind of character does that make it?

Decomposition of 鯰

IDS Structure⿰魚念
鯰Full character
=
魚yu2
left
念nian4
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 鯰?

How to say sheatfish in Chinese

“sheatfish” in Chinese is鯰nián

The character 鯰 (nián) refers to a type of fish known as the sheatfish, which is commonly found in freshwater environments. This fish is characterized by its elongated body and whisker-like barbels, making it distinct among other fish. In culinary contexts, sheatfish is often enjoyed in various dishes across Chinese cuisine.

When to use 鯰

When using 鯰, it's essential to note that it is a more technical term and may not be commonly used in everyday conversation. In culinary discussions, it often appears in the context of dishes or regional specialties. Be careful not to confuse it with related fish names, which can lead to misunderstandings.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 鯰 with other fish names, such as 魚 (yú), which means fish in general. For example, saying '我喜欢鯰' (I like sheatfish) without context may confuse listeners who are unfamiliar with the term.

Write 鯰

鯰

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

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Word Family of 鯰

Words containing this character2
鲶niánoriental catfish鯰
鲶鱼niányúcatfish鯰魚
Exercise 1 of 2

Characters with 鯰

What does 鲶 mean?

Frequently asked questions about 鯰

It refers to sheatfish, a freshwater fish known for its elongated body and whiskers.

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