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March 24, 2026
鱉biē(bie1)
The character 鱉 (biē) refers to a turtle, specifically a type of freshwater turtle commonly found in East Asia. It is often used in culinary contexts, particularly in traditional Chinese medicine and cuisine, where turtle meat is valued for its health benefits.
Strokes22Radical魚Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese culture, turtles are often associated with longevity and wisdom. They are frequently featured in folklore and are considered a symbol of stability and endurance.
Memory Tip
Imagine a turtle (鱉) with its hard shell resembling a protective armor. The character has a fish radical (魚) at the bottom, hinting at its aquatic nature, and the upper part can remind you of a turtle's head peeking out of the water.
Meanings of 鱉
biē(bie1)
1turtle
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About 鱉
鱉Simplified
22Strokes
魚Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 鱉
Podcast: 鱉
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AI Study Notes for 鱉
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a turtle (鱉) with its hard shell resembling a protective armor. The character has a fish radical (魚) at the bottom, hinting at its aquatic nature, and the upper part can remind you of a turtle's head peeking out of the water.
Usage Notes
This word is relatively formal and may not be commonly used in everyday conversation. Be cautious when discussing food as this term may evoke strong cultural sentiments. Common collocations include 鱉肉 (turtle meat) and 鱉汤 (turtle soup).
HSK Study Tips
Although 鱉 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it can be useful for learners interested in culinary terms or traditional medicine. Students should focus on recognizing similar characters that involve animals or aquatic life.
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese culture, turtles are often associated with longevity and wisdom. They are frequently featured in folklore and are considered a symbol of stability and endurance.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 鱉 (biē) with 龟 (guī), leading to incorrect usage when referring to different types of turtles. Remember, 鱉 is specifically for softer-shelled turtles, while 龟 is for tortoises.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 鱉
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Cultural Notes for 鱉
🏮Cultural insight
In traditional Chinese culture, turtles are often associated with longevity and wisdom. They are frequently featured in folklore and are considered a symbol of stability and endurance.
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
While turtles are also regarded as symbols of longevity in Western cultures, they are less commonly associated with culinary practices compared to their significance in Chinese cuisine.
Word Family of 鱉
Words Containing This Character5
鳖biēfreshwater soft-shelled turtle鱉
瓮中之鳖lit. like a turtle in a jar甕中之鱉
土鳖ground beetle土鱉
瓮中捉鳖a turkey shoot甕中捉鱉
地鳖Chinese ground beetle (Eupolyphaga sinensis), used in TCM地鱉
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 鳖 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 鱉
It is pronounced as 'biē' with a high level tone.
No, it is more often found in specialized contexts like cuisine and traditional medicine.
Both mean turtle, but 龟 (guī) typically refers to the hard-shelled tortoise, while 鱉 is used for softer-shelled turtles.
