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March 24, 2026
鰭qí(qi2)
The character 鰭 (qí) refers to the fin of a fish or other aquatic creatures. Fins are essential for swimming and are often seen as a symbol of movement through water. This term is primarily used in biological contexts, particularly when discussing marine life.
Strokes21Radical魚Frequency#36719DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, fish symbolize abundance and prosperity, especially during the New Year celebrations. The concept of fins is closely tied to the cultural significance of fish as symbols of good fortune.
Memory Tip
Imagine a fish with its fins outstretched, gliding through clear blue water. The character 鰭 has a complex appearance, resembling the fins of a fish with its flowing strokes, and the pronunciation 'qí' can remind you of the sound of water splashing.
Meanings of 鰭
qí(qi2)
1fin
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 鰭
鰭Simplified
21Strokes
魚Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 鰭
Podcast: 鰭
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AI Study Notes for 鰭
Quick Contrast
鰭 (fin) vs 鳍 (pí, fin/pectoral fin) — use 鰭 for general fins, while 鳍 specifically refers to pectoral fins.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a fish with its fins outstretched, gliding through clear blue water. The character 鰭 has a complex appearance, resembling the fins of a fish with its flowing strokes, and the pronunciation 'qí' can remind you of the sound of water splashing.
Usage Notes
This term is quite specific and used in formal or scientific discussions about fish. Be careful not to confuse it with related terms for other body parts, such as 鳥 (bird) or 腿 (leg). It's commonly used with words like 魚 (fish) to describe fish fins.
HSK Study Tips
Although 鰭 is not an HSK vocabulary word, it connects to the HSK level 3 word 魚 (fish). Students should focus on recognizing the radicals within 鰭, such as the fish radical 魚, which may help in understanding related terms in aquatic biology.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, fish symbolize abundance and prosperity, especially during the New Year celebrations. The concept of fins is closely tied to the cultural significance of fish as symbols of good fortune.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 鰭 with the character 鳥 (bird), which can lead to incorrect usage when talking about fish. Always remember that 鰭 specifically refers to the fins of fish, while 鳥 pertains to birds.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 鰭
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Cultural Notes for 鰭
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, fish symbolize abundance and prosperity, especially during the New Year celebrations. The concept of fins is closely tied to the cultural significance of fish as symbols of good fortune.
Word Family of 鰭
Words Containing This Character7
鳍qífin鰭
白鳍豚Chinese river dolphin (Lipotes vexillifer)白鰭豚
背鳍dorsal fin背鰭
尾鳍tail or caudal fin尾鰭
胸鳍pectoral fin胸鰭
腹鳍ventral fin腹鰭
臀鳍anal fin臀鰭
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 鳍 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 鰭
The pronunciation is 'qí', with a rising tone, similar to the word 'key' in English but with a slight rise in pitch.
No, 鰭 is a technical term mostly used in scientific or biological contexts, not common in everyday discussions.
Common phrases would include 魚鰭 (fish fin) or 金魚鰭 (goldfish fin), which refer to specific types of fish fins.
